The Turn-table of Europe.

Just thirty years ago the foundations were laid of one of the outstandingly successful Government-owned railway systems of the world—the Swiss Federal Railways. To-day some 2,000 miles of Government railways serve Switzerland from end to end, presenting an admirable example of a really efficient State railway undertaking conducted on essentially commercial lines, and with finances entirely separated from those of the State proper.

The total staff of the Swiss Federal Railways is 33,000. Three General Managers and three Sub-Managers form the page 20 main administration, and the headquarters of the system are at the State capital, Berne. From an engineering viewpoint, the Swiss railways are unique. Tunnels alone on the State railways total 229, with an aggregate length of 100 miles, while of clever bridges, viaducts, and the like, there are no end. The permanent way is exceptionally stout and well-maintained, heavy 60ft. rails being favoured on most main lines. During recent years much has been done in Switzerland in the way of passenger station improvement. Fine architecture may contribute less to railway efficiency than, say, the number of tracks a station shelters, but the Swiss Federal Railways have throughout sought to satisfy the inhabitants of towns, as well as their own interests, by erecting pleasingly designed station buildings in harmony with the best local style of architecture. New stations erected at Geneva—home of the League of Nations—Bienne, Thoune, Zurich, Fribourg, Neuchatel and Chiasso, rank among the finest in Europe. On the freight side, Switzerland has earned world-fame by constructing a most wonderful marshalling yard at Muttenzerfeld, near Basle, where from seven to eight thosand wagons are handled daily. Very rightly, this yard has been termed the “turn-table of Europe.”