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

London to the Orient by Rail

London to the Orient by Rail.

Fast and frequent rail connections between London and the Continent are an imperative need. For many years efficient rail and steamship services have been maintained by the Southern and London and North Eastern lines, linking London with the Continent, while for some time an ocean-going train-ferry has been operated by the L. and N.E. and Belgian State Railways between Harwich and Zeebrugge. Largely as a result of the success attained by the Harwich - Zeebrugge train-ferry, the Southern Railway is now introducing a train-ferry service between Dover and Dunkirk. At the outset freight traffic mainly is to be catered for, but it is the intention eventually to run sleeping cars from London to Paris by way of the new ferry.

Publicity aids. The L. and N.E.R. Tourist Bureau in the North British Hotel, Edinburgh.

Publicity aids. The L. and N.E.R. Tourist Bureau in the North British Hotel, Edinburgh.

Three ferry vessels are being acquired, each having a length of approximately 365ft., beam 60ft., and a loaded draught 12ft. 3in. They will have a speed of 16 knots, and will accommodate fifty-five 20-ton wagons and a number of motor cars. Train-ferry operation will result in a reduction of handling at the ports, with a consequent lessening of the risk of damage or deterioration of freight. Quicker operations at the ports also, will result in a marked saving in transit time. In a few years, thanks to the working of the new ferry, it may be possible for a passenger to make the through journey from London to the Orient without once changing his railway car.

Train-ferries have been found exceptionally useful in connection with the movement of freight between Britain and Italy. The Italian railways are greatly appreciative of the outlet for their wagons page 20 afforded by the Zeebrugge-Harwich ferry, and motor cars from the Fiat factory at Turin have been shipped in large numbers by this route, as well as a heavy tonnage of fruit traffic from Southern Italy.