Features of New Rolling Stock.

Low-waisted windows, arm-rests and shoulder reading-lights are being standardised as permanent features of passenger coaches for long-distance services on the L.M. & S. line, which, in addition to building 687 new. carriages this year, is carrying out an extensive modernisation programme of its existing stock. During the past six years a total of over 3,580 new passenger carriages have been introduced on the L.M. & S., representing over twenty per cent, of the total stock.

The modernisation of the restaurant car and sleeping car stock (the company has 200 diners and 232 sleeping cars) is also proceeding. In 1933, a five-year plan was begun for the replacement of 70 of the older diningcars, with the result that 42 new cars have been placed in service, while the remaining 28 will be built this year or in 1937. In addition, 7 new diners are being provided for service locally in Scotland, while 20 more kitchencars are to be introduced for excursion trains. During the past three years the L.M. & S. has provided 26 entirely new and 64 modernised firstclass sleeping cars; and 13 new and 12 modernised combined first and third-class sleepers, giving a total of 115 new or renovated cars. Altogether the company owns nearly 17,000 passenger carriages, as well as over 6,400 vehicles used for parcels and other traffic conveyed by passenger train.