A Notable Electrification Work.

Streamlined trains hauled by steam lccomotives seem likely to form the principal means of movement on the Home railway trunk routes for some years to come. Like Germany, we are finding high-speed streamlined trains a decided success, although here and there, where conditions are peculiarly favourable, advantage is being taken of electrification. Two ambitious electrification works are now in hand. On the Southern system, the London-Portsmouth tracks will shortly be electrified throughout; while Reading also will be linked with London by electric trains at a later date. On the London and North Eastern, an especially noteworthy electrification work is being put in hand—the conversion to electricity of the Manchester-Sheffield main line. This will involve 74 1/2 route miles, equivalent with sidings to 292 1/4 single track miles. Unlike the Southern electrification will increase the capacity of train movement, the Manchester-Sheffield conversion provides for the electrical haulage of all trains—passenger, freight and coal.

The electrical equipment will be of the overhead transmission type, employing direct current at 1,500 volts. Included in the tracks involved are two tunnels each three miles long. Electrification will increase the capacity of these tunnels—the controlling factor in the train density of the route—by 25 per cent. It is planned to replace the 181 steam engines at present utilised in the Manchester-Sheffield services by 88 electric locomotives. There will be nine express passenger locomotives,

(Photo., London Passenger Transport Board.)
Wood Green Station, Piccadilly Tube Railway, London.

each weighing 100 tons; 69 mixed traffic locomotives; and 10 pusher locomotives for use on the steep gradients. In all, the estimated cost of this electrification is £2,500,000.