RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22346, 18 February 1936, Page 13

RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN

REGAINING LOST TRAFFIC EFFICIENCY OF SERVICES British railways are regaining much of the traffic which in recent years they lost to road services, according to Mr. H. Chapman, formerly district traffic manager of railways at Christchurch, who returned to New Zealand by the Aorangi yesterday after an extensive tour abroad. Mr. Chapman was accompanied by Mrs. Chapman, and Miss S. Lawrence, of Epsom. The railways were attracting passengers by reducing fares and providing faster time-tables, Mr. Chapman said. There also was a realisation on the part of the public that for .long journeys the comfort of the train far exceeded that of the motor. The railways were providing particularly efficient services of which punctuality was a notable feature. " I travelled in the Flying Scotsman, which ran smoothly at the great speed of 84 miles an hour," said Mr. Chapman. " I also saw the London and North-Eastern Company's new streamlined engine, which, on trials, attained a speed of 103 miles an hour. It did not look at all like our own engines, but like a great modern motor-car." New Zealand rail services; however, did not suffer in comparison with British, Mr. Chapman added. When it was considered that the British gauge was 4ft. B}in., compared with 3ft. 6in. in New Zealand and that the New Zealand railways traversed, as a rule, far more rugged country, the speed attained by trains in this country aud the tonnages hauled were really surprising.