The Railcar in Freight Service.

French passenger and freight services are being considerably improved by the introduction of new Diesel railcar services in and around the principal centres of population. On the French State and the Eastern Railway, new Diesel railcars seating 60 passengers are being employed. These are 72 ½ ft. long, have an overall width of 9 ½ ft., and weigh when empty 27 tons. Aluminium alloys are largely employed for the bodywork. The cars are carried on two four-wheeled bogies, and at either end is a six-cylinder, 130 b. h. p. oil engine. Speeds of up to 80 m. p. h. are practicable, and rapid acceleration is a feature.

On the Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean system, Diesel-electric railcars have been introduced experimentally for the conveyance of goods traffic. These haul loads of up to 60 tons. The power equipment consists of a pair of six-cylinder Diesel engines and generators, and the maximum speed of the cars is approximately 55 m. p. h. Smalls traffic is carried in the car itself, while, when required, the car can haul from one to five ordinary goods wagons, and so form a sort of light freight train. At the outset, the cars are being employed experimentally in the Lyons area.