STREAMLINED TRAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 20

STREAMLINED TRAIN

112 MILES AN HOUR "SILVER JUBILEE" TRIAL. (From Oub Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, September 28. A party of journalists and others were entertained at luncheon yesterday by the London and North-Eastern Railway. Afterwards they boarded the new streamlined train " Silver Jubilee," for a trial run from King's Cross to Grantham and back. On the outward journey the tram touched the speed of 112 miles an hour. The streamlining of the front end of the engine covers over the smokebox front end and door. In order to give access to the smokebox the sloped front plate is divided into two parte, the larger hinged at the top lifting upwards and the lower hinged at the bottom lifting forward and downwards over the buffers. The engine is a three-cylinder simple expansion " Pacific " type locomotive with an eight-wheeled tender. The boiler pressure has been increased to 2501 b per sq. inch, the grate area is 41| sq. feet, a new design of firebar being used giving air space openings equal to 56 per cent, of the grate area. Part of the grate is arranged to drop. The ashpan is completely welded and the design gives a free air flow under the outer side bars. The three cylinders are each 18Jin in diameter by 26in stroke. Each cylinder is cast as a separate unit. The train is vestibuled throughout and has a total seating capacity of 198. The exterior finish of the train is a distinct departure from the company's usual practice. Instead of the standard varnished teak, the bodies are panelled in No. 16 gauge steel and covered with aluminium rexine, the cornices, door and window facias, and bottom beading being in stainless steel. Exterior projections have been reduced to a minimum, and in order further to reduce the air resistance a skirting has been fitted between the bogies extending from the bottom of the body to within 10i inches of the rail. The spaces between the articulated ends of the vehicles have been closed by means of a special rubber sheeting with aluminium finish. The trial run was like a triumphal progress. Town and country alike ceased work and play to stare at the train as it sped by, and at every siding lines of railwaymen stood on goods wagons. By a happy coincidence the run took place on the 110th anniversary of the opening of the first English railway—the Stockton and Darlington railway—now part of the L.N.E.R. system. The first train, run on September 27, 1825, and drawn by George Stephenson's locomotive No. 1, covered the 26 miles between Stockton and Darlington in 3 hours 15 minutes —an average speed of eight m.p.h. The Silver Jubilee will cover the 268 miles between London and Newcastle in exactly four hours—an average of 67 m.p.h. THE SPEEDS. During yesterday's trip the speed of 112 m.p.h. was reached near Arlesey. Between Hutchin and Huntingdon (27 miles), which includes Arlesey, the average speed was 104.9 m.p.h. Between Hatfield and Yaxley, a distance of 54.9 miles, the average speed was 96.9 m.p.h. Between Wood Green and Fletton (70 miles) the average speed was 92.1 m.p.h. The climb out of London from King's Cross to Potter's Bar was done at a speed of 75 m.p.h. This latter figure alone indicates the remarkable acceleration of which the engine is capable. " It is the finest engine we ever had." said Driver Taylor, on his return to Cross. "At 112 m.p.h. she does not vibrate so much as other engines going at 80 m.p.h. We could easily have gone faster if we had wanted to —we were not all out by any means." AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE. Mr Edward Hungerford, an official of the New York Central Railway, who has spent a lifetime studying railways, has travelled more than 3000 miles over British lines in the last month, and has not a single grumble. He has travelled first class on famous trains and third class on local lines, and thinks they are " just splendid." "I have no real criticism of English railways. I like the dining car service, the politeness of everybody, the comfort of the carriages, and the smooth running of the trains. " But I miss the casual lounge cars which we have on our long-distance trains. They are fitted with comfortable chairs, ' snacks' are served, and—now that we have returned to common sense—so are drinks."