Discussion on “the relation of railway sub-station design to its operation,” and “some considerations determining the location of electric railway substations,” at New York, December 15, 1905

H. A. Lardner: Among the disadvantages of the method of starting synchronous converters from the direct-current side not noted by Mr. Ashe may be included the fact that direct current is not always available. For instance, the converter sub-stations of the majority of interurban railways are shut down at night; and unless storage-batteries are included in their equipment direct current is not available for starting the converters in the morning. Therefore, it becomes necessary to include another method of starting them.