GAS IN THE TRAIN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 514, 20 May 1879, Page 2

GAS IN THE TRAIN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Sib— lt was not our intention that any notice should be taken in the daily papers of the experiments now being made to light the trains with gas until we were perfectly successful ; but as it has leaked outßomehow and been commented on by the Press, you will perhaps kindly allow us through your paper to inform the public how the matter stands. You are doubtless aware that ga3 ia used in the trains in and around London, and that tbe gas so used is the ordinary coal gas, which is obtained from the mains of the Gas Companies at the various stations. A van containing a large bellows arrangement is filled, and from it the carriages are lit. The supply is soon exhausted, but it can, in London, be easily renewed. We are not aware that any attempt has ever been made to make gas in the train

itself, and light it for any distance and any length of time, and it is this we are now attempting. Our experiments during the last month or so have gradually revealed our blunders, which havo been successively overcome, and so far we have not met an insuperable difficulty. 8o much advance lias now been mado that we purpose lighting the train on Friday to Feather} ton. We cannot as yet guarantee absolute success, but we are approaching it. It is not an easy problem to solve, but wo are happy to say that every facility an I help have baou given us by the railway manager and officials in ordar to ensure success. The public are so far interested in this that they will not only enj iy a better light whon travelling, but a considerable saving, will ba effected iv lighting the train if we succeed. We are, &c , J. S Thomson. QBOKOB UAIiIi, 29th May.