62 POWER DISTRIBUTION FOR ELECTRIC RAILROADS. 
pendent feeeders, G and H, supply the long isolated sections, 
fand g. G and H are moreover linked at / if the condi- 
tions of service require. Fig. 42 represents the actual 
arrangement of an extensive feeding system much more 
closely than any of the simpler arrangements shown. As 
a matter of fact such a complex system is generally the out- 
growth of the conditions which develop in service rather 
than the result of deliberate forethought. Nevertheless, 
good engineering often demands the adoption of such ap- 
parently complex methods. 
In general, independent feeders are necessary to pre- 
serve good working pressure in outlying districts where 
comparatively independent lines are worked, while in re- 
  
g 
Street Ry. Journal 
HIC. 103 
: # 
gions of dense traffic the tendency is to link together the 
principal feeders of neighboring lines into a network rein- 
forced by special feeders wherever necessary. ‘The trolley 
wire is sectionalized only in so far as danger from fires and 
electrical troubles require. Although a continuous trolley 
wire is now far less necessary than fcrmerly on account of 
improved methods of construction, on the other hand an 
extensive subdivision into sections hinders the full use of 
all the copper installed and increases the danger of local 
stoppage of traffic. On any railway system, street or other, 
continuity of service is of the first importance, both by 
reason of the direct loss from suspension of traffic and the 
indirect, but far more serious, loss of public confidence and 
goodwill. 
Consequently it is often advisable to take chances in 
order to keep running, and linking feeders and trolley into 
a continuous system to drive through a time of short cir-