Tramway Novelty at Lyons.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 48, 24 February 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

Tramway Novelty at Lyons.

A FOREIGN contemporary (gays the ' Railway World ') gives an interesting account of fche recent organisation of the tramway system at Lyons for the conveyance of the pick of the garrison to the great military hospital thore. For some time the tramway at Lyons has been employed in the transport of provisions and stores for the military service.but the running of a special cape for the sick wns only inniie"rated on April 4th of last yenr, since which date ib has been in daily use, The lines belonging to tho tramway company ha^e been supplemented by "additional mils, both at tho point of departure, whore the oar is housed, and at the hospital, where it can be run into a wash-house for the purpose of disinfection. Tho car has, like an ordinary tram car, a platform at each end, to either of which horses can bo harnessed. Jfc is divided into two compartments; one of these lighted by eishfc casements, with moveable glass and blinds, 13 furnished with two fixed benches to accommodate o'ghb nersons sitting, four facing four. The other compartment, lighted by a skvlighb, which can be opened, and line also moveable blinds, is very much like the interior of the French regulation ambulance wagon, and gives accommodation to four patients on stretchers suspended in two lines. When nob required _ for patients in the recumbent position, eight persons can be accommodated sitting on benches, which are made to turn down against the walls of the vehicle, and thus make room for tho stretchers when required. The stretchers, which are of regulation slzs, can, when not in use, be placed under the seats. The interior of the car is painted a mahogany colour, and the floor having been treated with boiled linseed oil, the whole can be easily waehed and disinfected. A amall cupboard is provided for cleaning articles, and in winter the cars can be heated by four boilers. The car, which is painted outside a bright green, is distinguished by flying the flag of the Geneva Convention.