108 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



locomotives at terminals, with respect to front end carbon deposits. 

 If, through peculiar conditions, such an accumulation is formed, it 

 should be removed before engines go into road service. ' 



Southern Pacific System {Lines East of El Paso). — Because of the 

 fact that oil for fuel creates fewer sparks the fire risk is materially de- 

 creased in proportion. Compared with coal it is usually estimated 

 that four barrels will equal a ton of coal when used as fuel. 



The relative cost of operation varies entirely with the proximity 

 of a railroad to either oil or coal fields, or both ; therefore, figtu-es 

 covering cost in one locality would not apply to the cost in another 

 locality. At present oil is gradually increasing in value due to the 

 depletion of the sources of supply. 



Southern Pacific Company {Lines West of El Paso) . — In the fiscal 

 year ending Jtme 30th, 191 1, the Salt Lake Division was operated as a 

 part of the Oregon Short Line, and the Southern Pacific Company 

 (Pacific system) used oil exclusively. Diuing the same period the Union 

 Pacific was operated exclusively by coal. A comparison of fuel costs 

 on the main line of these two systems will give a fair idea of the relative 

 cost of operating with oil and with coal. Four barrels of oil are con- 

 sidered equivalent to one ton of coal. The coSt in freight service on, 

 main line of Union Pacific was $1.91 per 100 gross ton mUes and on the 

 Southern Pacific $2.11, but the fuel cost per ton of coal on the Union 

 Pacific was only $1.76, while on the Southern Pacific it was $2.32. 

 If fuel on each line had cost $2.32 per ton, the cost per 100 gross ton 

 miles on the Union Pacific would have been $2.52 and on the Southern 

 Pacific $2.11. The Southern Pacific has heavier average grades than 

 the Union Pacific, or the oil burning engines would have made a better 

 comparative showing. 



Engines cause occasional fires along our right-of-way, but these 

 are due to improper or infrequent sanding of flues. 



Southern Pacific Railway {Lines West of El Paso). — -With regard 

 to fires caused by oil burning engines ; it is difficult to segregate these 

 from other fires along our right-of-way. If instructions outlined in 

 enclosed pamphlet* are followed, there is little danger from fire. The 

 fireman can usually choose places along the line to sand the flues where 

 there is nothing that will take fire readily if any bvtming soot should 

 fall. 



A coke-like deposit forms slowly in fire-box and ash-pan, and re- 

 quires chipping to remove. This carbonaceous substance does not 



' See Appendix, p. 160 



