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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 3 (July 1, 1933)

The All-Metal Passenger Coach

The All-Metal Passenger Coach.

Although the majority of the main-line carriages operated in Britain are not of all-steel construction, the railway managements are fully alive to the advantages of the all-metal passenger coach. Greater strength, longer life, lessened maintenance costs, and reduced fire risks, are among these advantages. On the L.M. & S. line, about three per cent. of the total carriage stock is of the all-steel class; on the three other group lines the proportion is somewhat less. A prime reason for Britain's lack of enthusiasm for the all-metal carriage lies in the fact that conditions favour a design of carriage having side doors to each compartment, instead of being constructed on the saloon principle. Steel construction does not lend itself quite so well to the provision of side doors.

Across the Channel, the Belgian railways have recently introduced as many as one thousand all-steel passenger coaches. One type has a length of 72ft. 2in., with bow ends, and two double doors at each end. Seats are fixed face to face on either side of a central gangway. Another design—for the long-distance services—has four end doors and a side corridor. Yet another type—for local use—is 59ft. lin. long, with lateral doors and seats placed face to face along a central gangway.