Heavy Business Anticipated

The latest available figures in regard to railway working indicate an improvement of over £3,000 for the whole undertaking during the four-weekly period ended 2nd. February. On top of this, the latest weekly returns to hand disclose a very substantial increase in traffic and revenue in all districts. It is clear that the improvement in passenger business is due to better weather conditions, and that the late season is now bringing in heavy consignments of live stock and wool, hitherto delayed. One result has been that a big strain has been placed on the available rolling stock, and both transportation and workshops staffs have been hard pressed to keep the supply up to requirements. From present indications it appears likely that the traffic in the last weeks of the financial year will still further improve the revenue position. The new excursion traffic, built upon a system of liberal fares for special outings, is further assisting the expansion of business.

Noteworthy recent additions to the French locomotive stocks are a batch of ninety 4-8-4 four-cylinder compound passenger tank engines acquired by the Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean Railway. The employment of tank engines having eight coupled wheels and with four-wheeled bogie trucks at each end is an innovation in Europe, and the performance of these new locomotives in traffic will be watched with interest.

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