Long-distance Runs.

Now for the long-distance runs. Probably no country in the world can boast of finer performances than those of the “Cornish Riviera Limited,” the “Flying Scotsman,” the “Royal Scot,” the “Torbay Limited,” and other crack trains of the Homeland. The “Cornish Riviera Limited” daily covers the 226 miles between London and Plymouth in 240 minutes; the “Flying Scotsman” and the “Royal Scot” make the four hundred miles flight between London and Edinburgh in 8¼ hours, while the “Torbay Limited” covers the 200 miles between London and Torquay in just 210 minutes. Across the Channel, there is an outstanding run in the “Sud Express” of the Orleans and Midi Railways of France. This daily train travels from Paris to Bayonne, 482½ miles, in 9 hours 31 minutes, including seven stops, or 9 hours running time. This gives an average speed of 53½ miles per hour for the run of nearly 500 miles. On the French Northern system, 200 minutes are taken on the 194 miles run between Paris and Dunkirk. The Eastern Railway of France has a quick run of 237 minutes for the 219 miles separating Paris and Nancy and on the same line is another noteworthy performance in the 165 minute flight of the Paris-Bar-le-Duc express (157 miles).

With the ever-increasing demand from the travelling public for high speed running, and the growing weight of passenger trains, locomotive engineers are seriously concerned as to the future. Working on conventional lines, it is doubtful whether gauge and other limitations will allow of much more power being encompassed within the casing of the main-line steam page 19 locomotive. To meet the need for increased power and higher efficiency, much attention is now being devoted to the possibilities of the Diesel engine. For long-distance operation there is undoubtedly a big future before this class of engine. The reduced weight of fuel to be carried, and independence from water supply make practicable very long non-stop runs at a high average speed.