New Year Construction Programmes.

During the present year large additions are to be made by the Home railways to their locomotive, carriage and wagon stocks. It is the usual practice in Britain for the railways to construct, in their own shops, a large proportion of their engines and rolling-stock, and in the various establishments scattered throughout the country there is now great activity. High-powered steam locomotives and high capacity freight wagons are among the new equipment being turned out, while much new passenger stock of a really luxurious order is also included in the building programmes.

Of all Home railway shops, most important are those of the L.M. & S. Railway at Crewe and Derby; the Doncaster locomotive works on the L. & N.E. line; the Great Western shops at Swindon; and the Eastleigh establishment of the Southern system. The railway shopman is one of page 37 the most important of workers in the great railway hive, although unfortunately his part in the railway game is at times apt to be overshadowed by the more spectacular task of the engine driver and passenger guard. Among the Home railway shopmen are included some of the world's most skilled mechanics, and from the British railway shops a great number of skilled officers have gone out to railways in every land.