SOOT CAUSES TROUBLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 112, 11 April 1929, Page 10

SOOT CAUSES TROUBLE.

ACCUMULATION OF YEARS. CHRISTCHURCH, April 10. With the electrification of the Lyttelton tunnel the smoke nuisance was eliminated, much to the relief of tram travellers, hut now a fresh source of annoyance is causing trouble, both to travellers and the railway officials. This is the soot which fori years has been accumulating in the crevices of the roof 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 dust "by the suction of passing 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 only on the carriages, but on the floor of the tunnel, where it breaks up in a fine black powder. The suction .of the trains and the currents of air played on the motors to keep them cool stir up the deposit and the dust penetrates to all parts of the cars. Soon after the tunnel was reopened a gang of six men was put on cleaning cars. They went over the interior, scrubbing out every orack and crevice, and doing a very thorough job. It took them a day and a-half to do one car. 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, reballasted, ana then sprayed with crude oil to hind whatever soot may be left. Whether this will be:, done or not is a matter for consideration, but those actively concerned:. with, train running through the tunnel are convinced that passengers have a - genuine ground for complaint, and that the trouble should be rectified as soon* as possible. The cars are getting thoroughly dirty now inside as .well as outside.