DIRTIER THAN EVER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 83, 9 April 1929, Page 17

DIRTIER THAN EVER.

L.YTTELTON TUNNEL CARS

SOOT XUISAXCE ACUTE

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday

Ihere is no smoke to annoy travellers in the Lyttelton tunnel now, but in its place there is soot, which manv consider is worse than the emoke. The soot has been accumulating for years in the crevices of the root" and sides of the unlined tunnel, and is now being shaken down on to the ballast, whence it is drawn up in a fine penetrating black duet by the suction of trains. In the days of the steam locomotive the doors and windows were kept closed, but now most of them are thrown open with the result that the carriages are dirtier than ever and passengers more grimy. When steam trains went through the tunnel there was sufficient moisture from the exhaust vapours to hold most of the soot together, but with the coming of the electric locomotives the soot has dried. The vibration loosens the caked soot, which falls not onlv oil

the carriages, but on the floor of the tunnel, where it breaks up into a tine black powder. Soon after the tunnel was reopened a gang of six men was put on cleaning cars. They went over the interior, scrubbing out every crack and crevice, and doing a very thorough job. It took them a day and a-half to do one ear. Soon after resuming running that car was worse than before. A report is going forward to district headquarters suggesting that the tunnel be cleaned out with compressed air blowers, rebailasted and then sprayed with crude oil to bind whatever soot lnav be left.