Electrical operation on the cascade division of the Great Northern Railway

ELECTRIFICATION of the Great Northern Railway´s main line between Skykomish and Wenatchee, 73 route miles, was carried out in conjunction with the building of a new tunnel 7.79 miles long, and the relocation of approximately 17 route miles of troublesome track and other minor improvements, aggregating an expenditure of approximately $25,500,000. Although all of these improvements were placed in operation at about the same time, making a direct comparison of operating expenses difficult, analyses which give a reliable comparison between the cost of steam and electric operation over this part of the system have been made.