Streamlined Expresses.
Across the Channel, Germany is also making tremendous progress in streamlining. The “Flying Hamburger” was, of course, one of the world's first streamlined expresses, and this unique Diesel-electric unit was actually the inspiration for other lands to launch out in the streamlining field. Railroads everywhere are now taking up the idea, and it seems certain that at no distant date many of the world's leading express trains will be completely streamlined.
Here at Home, and throughout most of Europe, attention is at present being concentrated upon the design of new streamlined expresses operating on coal fuel. Oil is relatively scarce on the continent, but we have abundant supplies of good quality locomotive coal, hence the leaning towards coal-fired locomotives. Various designs of steam-operated streamlined trains are being developed. In Germany, one type—built by the Borsig Locomotive Works—is intended to haul a 250-ton train on a 93 m.p.h. schedule, and to be capable of increasing to 108 m.p.h. when desired. Other designs include a Krupp 4–8–4 machine intended to draw 650-ton trains at up to 87 m.p.h.; and smaller
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Henschel tank engines, to haul a pair of light streamlined cars, with seats for 124 passengers.