Modern Air-conditioning System.

Passenger travel at Home is being immensely popularised by the utilisation of air-conditioning plant in the main-line passenger coaches. The first air-conditioning experiments date back to 1906. Three years later there was introduced the “Thermotank” system of pressure ventilation and heating, a system which is now largely used on both day and night expresses.

On the L. & N.E. line, a new air-conditioning apparatus, known as the “Stone” system, has recently been introduced. The apparatus is accommodated in a box on the underframe, and air is drawn into the coach through oil filters by means of an electric fan. After leaving the fan, the air is heated

The “Flying Scotsman” speeding northwards from London.

page 18 page 19 by steam to a comfortable temperature, and passed through ducts under the floor, being discharged into the carriage interior through nozzles under the seats.

The operation of the equipment is entirely automatic, as the fan motor is switched on by a thermostat as soon as steam is applied to the train. The power supply is derived from the lighting batteries, and the equipment continues to function until the steam supply is cut off. The new system not only provides a supply of clean fresh air to passengers, but as the air is introduced only under a very slight pressure, it also ensures an absence of objectionable draughts.