Davenport, Vanderbilt and Brush from "Thunder and Lightning".

Now here are the problems to be solved. 

1. It is somewhat problematic to generate the current from Boston to Washington DC, a distance of 450 miles or 725 kilometers. The potential amount to be generated is a subtotal of 100,000 kilowatts to be divided in at least 20 increments over the route. The route also requires a new bridge to be constructed over the Charles River and over the Potomac River to eliminate the train ferries. Doing that in two years puts the project cost well in excess of 20 million 1875 dollars. 
2. The construction of water turbine power generator stations on the rivers shows great promise, (See MAP.), which is one of the main reasons that the Boston to Washington Corridor was selected as the pilot project.


3. The problem with this abundant hydroelectric energy potential is, as Irene Goss Davenport told Charles Brush when she placed the orders for all of those wind turbine generators: "Unlike northern Europe, many of our New England rivers completely freeze over in winter, Mister Brush. Remember how George Washington actually crossed the Delaware to attack the Hessians in New Jersey? His Connecticut Marines had to pick their way through the ICE JAMs. That is why I need those wind turbines to supplement the hydropower we intend to use." 
4. Compared to the above problems; the traction engines and the power pickups and take offs are rather... simple.
5. Somebody call the US Army Corps of Engineers!