By 1920, electric traction was well established on rapid-transit railways, tunnel lines, mountain railways and sections of main line railway in difficult terrain. These electric railways opened during the period when railway transport enjoyed a near monopoly on land for passenger traffic and long-distance goods movements, though after 1920 competition came from road transport when the state encouraged demobilised soldiers to set up motor bus and road haulage companies to create the motor-vehicle expertise which would be needed in a future war. Air transport using airships or aeroplanes was recognised as a potential threat.
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Published on 01/01/2011
Volume 2011, 2011
DOI: 10.1049/pbht031e_ch12
Licence: Other
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