lternating current was received through an oil switch and
was conveyed to a high-tension current distributor made up of three
lines of copper tubing, thus forming the source of power for this
station.

From the current distributor the current was conducted through other
oil switches to the transformers--entering at 100,000 volts and
emerging at 2,300 volts. Then the current was conducted from the
transformers through switches to the motor-generator sets and became
the power employed to operate them.

The motor generator consisted of one alternating current motor driving
two direct current generators. The motor Tom established in his station
was of the 60-cycle synchronous type, which means that the current
changes sixty times each second.

There were two sets, each generating a 1,500 or 2,000 volt direct
current; and the two generators being permanently connected, delivered
a combined direct current of 3,000 volts--as high a direct voltage
current, Tom knew, as had ever been adopted for railroad work. The
current voltage for ordinary street railway work is 550 volts.

"I could run even this big machine," Tom explained to Ned Newton, "with
a much lighter current. But out there on the Hendrickton & Pas Alos
line the transforming stations deliver this high voltage to the
locomotives. I want to test mine under similar conditions."

"This is going to be an expensive test, Tom," said Ned, grumbling a
little. "The cost-sheets are running high."

"We are aiming at a big target," returned the inventor. "You've got to
bait with something bigger than sprats to catch a whale, Ned."

"Humph! Suppose you don't catch the whale after all?"

"Don't lose hope," returned Tom, calmly. "I am going after this whale
right, believe me! This is one of the biggest contracts--if not the
very biggest--we ever tackled."

"It looks as if the expense account would run the highest," admitted
the financial manager.

"All right. Maybe that is so. But I'll spend the last cent I've got to
perfect this patent. I am going to beat the Jandels if it is humanly
possible to do so."

"I can only hope you will, Tom. Why, this track and the overhead
trolley equipment is going to cost a small fortune. I had no idea when
you signed that contract with Mr. Bartholomew that so much money would
have to be spent in merely the experimental stage of the thing."

Ned Newton possessed traits of caution that could not be gainsaid. That
was one thing that made h