Five years ago, the French State Railways placed in service an experimental pneumatic-tyred rail-car developed by the Michelin Company. So successful did this prove, that the stock of such cars has gradually been increased to between seventy and eighty, these mostly being 56 and 100. seater units. At Home, the L.M. & S. authorities are at present trying out two pneumatic-tyred rail-cars of new design. Each of the cars is carried on 16 pneumatic-tyred wheels, accommodates 56 passengers, seated, and has a cruising speed of 60 m.p.h., with a maximum of about 75 m.p.h. Each rail-car is driven by a 275 h.p. petrol engine with self-changing gearbox, and can run with equal facility in either direction. Silent and smooth running is a feature of the pneumatictyred rail-car. Another distinct advantage page 28 page 29 is that the pneumatic tyre presents a high co-efficient of friction in contact with the rail, this giving acceleration and braking greatly in excess of the rates possible with steeltyred cars.