Interior of L. M. & S. camping Car.

The enthusiasm aroused by the commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the first British settlement in Australia was given added interest here in London by reason of the christening, by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway, of one of its powerful “Jubilee” class express passenger locomotives, “New South Wales.” The naming ceremony at Euston Station, on 26th January, was performed by the Agent-General for New South Wales. A happy note, in more senses than one, was struck by the presence of a detachment and band of the Royal Navy. The Admiralty's welcome contribution to the proceedings was in recognition of the fact that Captain Arthur Phillips, R.N., was in command of the brig “Supply,” from which was effected the first landing of settlers. Transport — and especially rail transport—has played a more important part than any other factor in the striking progress made by Australia in the past one hundred and fifty years. Despite break-of-gauge, and other difficulties, railways have virtually changed the face of the continent, and one and all engaged in Australian rail transport may well take pride in their contribution to this development.

Romance in a Name.

Locomotive and train naming adds greatly to the romance and interest attached to the “Iron Way.” Our pioneer locomotive builders set the ball rolling by selecting names like “The Rocket” and “Sans Pareil” for their products, while one of the earliest named passenger trains was the “Southern Belle,” London-Brighton express of the London, Brighton and South Coast line, now embraced in the Southern Group. The “Flying Scotsman,” the “Cornish Riviera Limited,” and the “Atlantic Coast Express” are other Home railway-named trains whose fame is world-wide. Across the Atlantic, America long ago realised the desirability for train-naming. What better-chosen train names could one have than, say, “The Golden State Limited,” “The Scout,” or “The Twentieth Century Limited”? On the continent of Europe, we have the famous “Blue Train,” linking Paris with the Mediterranean resorts; the “Eidelweiss Express,” serving Swiss mountain centres; the “Orient Express,” of film and novel fame; and a score of other named services. Africa gives us the “Union Limited” in the south, and the “Star of Egypt” in the north. All this business of locomotive and train christening represents excellent publicity, and train naming, in particular, is now the recognised thing in Europe. Visit any of the big London termini at any hour, and there, alongside the platform you are sure to find at least one named train. King's Cross probably has more named trains running in and out than any other metropolitan station, for all the long-distance expresses of the L. & N.E. line to-day carry distinctive titles.

Handling freight at Southampton Docks, Southern Railway.

The Train Cleaner and His Work.

A feature of passenger travel at Home is the cleanliness of most of the stock employed in main-line service. This year the group lines are paying greater attention than ever to the interior cleanliness of passenger trains. An innovation is the appointment by the L. & N.E. Company of special travelling train attendants and cleaners, whose duties are to accompany the principal expresses and excursion trains, and to maintain the compartments, corridors and lavatories in a scrupulously clean and tidy condition. The cleaners accompany the train throughout the journey in most instances. They are provided with full equipment, including brushes, towels, soap, and a canvas bag for the collection of refuse. The idea seems an excellent one, for while most main-line passenger trains are scrupulously clean at the commencement of the journey, there is often a tendency—especially in the night services—for the interior of the cars to become dirty and untidy towards the end of a long run. This, inevitably, gives an unfavourable impression to the traveller joining the train at some intermediate point.

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Scottish Express loading up at King's Cross Station, London.

A New Electrification Scheme.

Early this year an interesting new electrification was opened by the L. M. & S. Railway, electric traction on the Wirral Section lines coming into operation on 14th March. The routes covered are those between Birkenhead Park, West Kirby and New Brighton, the total route mileage electrified amounting to a little over 10 miles. An important feature of the scheme was the introduction of through electric train services between both West Kirby and New Brighton and Liverpool (Central) Low Level, in conjunction with the Mersey Railway Company. With the introduction of electric train services in this busy area, the time-table has been entirely re-modelled, providing more frequent train services at regular intervals. Nineteen 3-car train sets of the most modern construction have been introduced by the L. M. & S., each seating 141 third-class and 40 first-class passengers. During peak hours, however, six-car trains are employed. Features of the new trains include the use of light high-tensile metals, and the provision of air-operated sliding doors to save time at stations. The electrification, which has been carried out under the Government Loan Guarantee Schemes, is on the third-rail system at 650 volts.

A Famous Stationary Engine.

Although the L. M. & S. Railway possesses one locomotive that is still performing light work 72 years after it was built, this record of longevity is easily eclipsed by two railway engines that have never moved a foot from their positions for over a century apiece. Totalling between them 218 years’ continuous service, these two veteran stationary engines are employed at Middleton Top (Derby) and Swannington (Leicestershire) respectively. Both are still used for hauling wagons up and down steep inclines unsuitable for locomotives. The engine at Middleton Top is 113 years old, and is a twin-cylinder, low pressure, condensing-type beam engine, built for the Cromford & High Peak Railway in 1825 by the Butterley Iron Works. A treasured relic is the Swannington engine, for it was installed in 1833 to the instructions of George Stephenson, engineer of the Leicester & Swannington Railway, which was opened 1832–33, and was the first railway in the Midlands. Originally used for hauling up wagons of coal from various collieries reached by the Swannington Incline, the engine is now employed only for lowering wagons of coal required by a colliery pumping-plant at the bottom. The Swannington engine was made by the Horsley Coal and Iron Company, and is of the long-stroke (3 ft. 6 in.), single-cylinder, simple expansion type, the steam pressure being 80 lbs. per sq. in. It is capable of hauling six empty wagons up the incline (half–a-mile long and rising at 1 in 17) at a speed of 9 m.p.h.

George Stephenson's Stationary Engine at Swannington, Leicestershire.

The Modern Goods Train.

Freight business continues brisk on the Home lines. Improvements in goods train services and terminal working are constantly being introduced, and an overnight service between points 400 to 600 miles apart is now general. These accelerated goods train services are high in public favour, and they maintain a wonderful punctuality record. The old idea of a goods train, lumbering along at fifteen to twenty miles an hour, and constantly being shunted to permit the passage of other trains, is now almost a memory. The problem of the large versus the small freight train always arouses considerable discussion, but in Britain relatively light goods trains, booked at express speed, are largely increasing in number.

Not only are goods train services being accelerated on every side in Britain, but particular attention is being paid to the elimination of careless handling of small consignments.