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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 11 (February 1, 1937)

Our London Letter

page 17

Our London Letter

Our London Letter (vol 11, issue 11): Cross-Channel Train Ferry.

Through passenger train operation between London and continental points, rendered possible by the spanning of the Channel either by a railway tunnel or train ferry, is an objective upon which Home railway experts long ago set their minds. For some years to come, at any rate, there seems no likelihood of a Channel tunnel scheme actually being embarked upon. Thanks to the enterprise of the Southern Railway, however, a cross-Channel passenger train ferry is now in active operation, between Dover and Dunkirk, and a new era in European travel has thereby been opened up. A nightly sleeping-car service between London and Paris is the first result of the enterprise, and across the Channel the Northern Railway of France is co-operating whole-heartedly with our own authorities to make the facility a huge success. Instead of having to change from railway train to steamer, and vice-versa, at the Channel ports, the continental traveller journeying by the new night service is carried right through from one capital to the other without leaving his comfortable sleeping berth.

Three ferry vessels have been built for the service. Each carries a train of twelve sleeping-cars, there being four sets of railway tracks on the ferry deck. Above the train deck, restaurants, lounges and cabins have been installed for passengers who desire to vacate their berths and stretch their legs. In addition to accommodating 500 passengers, the ferries have a special garage for passengers' motor-cars. These are driven aboard up an inclined ramp. In recent years, there has been a growing tendency for travellers going on a continental tour to take their own motorcars along with them, and the liberal accommodation provided for cars on the new train ferries should prove a great convenience. Looking ahead, it seems likely that, eventually, the operation of these Channel ferries will enable through working to be introduced between London and most of the principal continental cities. In the coming Coronation rush of passengers to London, the new facility should prove of the greatest utility.

“Twickenham Ferry,” one of the three new cross-Channel Train Ferries of the Southern Railway.

“Twickenham Ferry,” one of the three new cross-Channel Train Ferries of the Southern Railway.

The Railways and the Coronation.

From the tourist viewpoint, Coronation year promises to be a red-letter one. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from overseas and the continent will be drawn to this unique pageant, while from every city and hamlet in the British Isles the railways will be called upon to carry to the metropolis sight-seers galore. For handling passenger traffic from overseas, the Home railways have recently improved their terminal facilities at the principal points of entry. Southampton, Plymouth, Liverpool and London, are four ports anticipating record business. The railway hotels, too, are well prepared to cater for the special needs of Coronation guests. Specially fast trains, operated at reduced fares, will link the provinces with London. For Coronation Day cheap tickets at approximately a single fare for the return journey will be issued to the capital from all stations where the train services will permit of both the outward and homeward journeys being accomplished on the same day, these tickets being available by any train. For distances over 150 miles, the outward journey may be commenced from 9 p.m. the previous day.

Railway stations in the metropolis and the principal provincial centres will be gaily decorated for the occasion. Special fare will be provided in the dining-cars, with menus carrying appropriate decorations. To relieve the pressure on hotel and boarding-house accommodation, the London and North Eastern line announces that, it is arranging to place camping coaches on suitable sites in the London suburban districts. Each of these coaches will accommodate six people, and will be let at the moderate rental of £10 for the whole of Coronation week to visitors to London from points on the company's system. The rental charge will also include a free ticket from the suburban station to the London terminus every day of the week for all six members forming the party.

New British Locomotives.

Many noteworthy contributions to Home railway locomotive construction have from time to time been made by the Great Western Company. Recently there has been turned out of page 18 page 19
The “Arlington Grange,” first of the new 4-6-0 class locomotives Great Western Railway.

The “Arlington Grange,” first of the new 4-6-0 class locomotives Great Western Railway.

the Swindon works the first of a new class of engines, known as the “Grange” series. The new locomotives are designed for handling fast goods and passenger services, and will replace engines of the 2-6-0 type, 4300 Class, which are being condemned.

The “Grange” locomotives are of the 4-6-0 type, and similar in design to the “Hall” class. They carry a standard boiler, but are fitted with 5 ft. 8 in. diameter coupled wheels. A new pattern of cylinder has also been provided. The total wheelbase of engine and tender is 53 ft. 4 3/4 in. The Coupled wheelbase is 14 ft. 9 in., and the length of the engine and tender over buffers is 63 ft. 0 ¼ in. The engines are equipped with a standard 3,500 gallons tender. Other principal details are: Cylinders (2), 18 ½ in. diameter, 30 in. stroke; total heating surface, 2,104 sq. ft.; area of firegrate, 27.07 sq. ft.; working pressure, 225 lb. per sq. in.; tractive effort, 28,875 lb.; total loaded weight, engine and tender, 114 tons.

A Famous Railway Junction.

One hundred years ago, there was opened for traffic one of the world's pioneer railways—the historic Grand Junction system — commencing at Curzon Street Station, Birmingham, and running to Newton, 82 ½ miles distant, where it joined the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, opened seven years earlier. The Grand Junction line was merged into the London and North Western, and later into the London, Midland and Scottish Company.

From the outset, one of the principal stations on the system was Crewe. Owing to its unique geographical situation, Crewe ranks as a leading railway junction. It is also the site of the famous Crewe locomotive shops, where so many of the world's outstanding locomotive designers spent their early years. In the pioneering days of the Grand Junction Railway, there were twelve passenger trains passing through Crewe daily. During the summer, about 530 trains now call daily at the station. In winter, the daily total is approximately 420. Twenty per cent, of the trains divide at Crewe for two or more destinations. Crewe passenger station has six platforms, and ten bays, totalling 3,790 yards in length. The station buildings have an area of 64,600 sq. ft., and apart from numerous railway offices, include six refreshment rooms, dining and tea rooms, and eight waiting rooms.

Double-deck bridge, near Leipzig, German National Railways.

Double-deck bridge, near Leipzig, German National Railways.

Railway Fire-fighting Facilities.

A most important obligation falling on railways everywhere is the protection of their properties against fire. At Home, fire brigades are specially trained and equipped by the railways, and thanks to their efficiency serious outbreaks are a rarity. It is at the larger locomotive and carriage centres that the principal brigades are located. So efficient are some of these railway teams that, in certain instances, they act as the city fire brigade in addition to their railway responsibilities. Special trains are also maintained in readiness at many of the larger railway centres. These trains are equipped with fire-fighting equipment, ready to move out at express speed to any fires which may occur on or adjoining railway property. The fire trains have one or more coaches for the conveyance of the brigade, a petrol driven fire pump, water tanks, and a large assortment of fire-fighting equipment. With the exception of watchmen, all the railway works firemen are volunteers, chosen for their interest in the work and their physical fitness. They drill regularly, and are capable of acting singly in an emergency, or as a unit in a brigade.

A Novel German Tractor-Trailer.

City collection and delivery services for freight traffic have for long been a feature of Home railway practice. On the continent, also, countries like Germany and France are becoming increasingly interested in combined rail and road movement. In Germany, there has recently been introduced an articulated tractor-trailer unit for hauling standard goods wagons along the road, and giving through door-to-door service. The tractor takes the form of a truck chassis with a 100 h.p. six-cylinder Diesel engine. Six wheels are employed on the trailer, four being mounted on a single axle serving as driving shaft, and the other two on a separate trailing axle. Within the frame of the trailer is a second inner steel frame carrying a pair of lifting rams, for tilting the loaded goods wagon and discharging its contents. A light steel ramp affords connection between the trailer and the railway tracks.