26 T. H. HGUGHTON. 



the capital, cost of construction and equipment being 

 £8,166,423; this has increased to eight times what it was 

 twenty-five years previously, although the length of line 

 operated has only increased about five times. 



After the opening of the electric line to Pyrmont, great 

 progress was made in the reconstruction and electrification 

 of the existing steam lines, and extensions were made at a 

 rapid rate for many years, until now Sydney has a tram- 

 way jsystem stretching its lines out into far distant suburbs, 

 the only drawback apparently being that it cannot at times 

 carry all who desire to travel by it without overcrowding; 

 that is, however, a failing of many suburban transport 

 systems. 



The power house in which the electric current was- 

 generated for the first tramway at Pyrmont, contained at 

 the commencement four 850 kilowatt 660 volt direct current 

 generators driven by compound engines. The conversion of 

 the lines from steam to electric soon made additional power 

 necessary, and in 1902 three 1500 kw. alternating current 

 generators, driven by compound vertical engines were 

 erected, in 1905 the first turbine driven alternator was 

 put to work; it was of comparatively small capacity, 1500 

 kw. and was soon followed by others. The plant now 

 comprises the following turbine driven alternators produc- 

 ing current at 6600 volts and 25 cycles per second : one 

 1500, four 5000, one 7000, and one 7500 kw., a total rated 

 capacity of 36000 kw., but capable, when required, of tem- 

 porarily carrying an overload up to 50000 kw. 



Three of the direct current generators first installed have 

 been removed, one being retained for night work and light- 

 ing, the three vertical engines and the generators installed 

 in 1902 have also been disposed of. 



At White Bay a new power house has been built to 

 supplement the one at Prymont; it contains three turbine 



