Diesel Railcars in Denmark.

Denmark consists largely of islands, so that railway operation there presents many peculiar problems. Ferry working is, of course, a well-known feature. One interesting development of recent times is the employment of Diesel railcars in high-speed services. The latest type of Diesel equipment to be introduced takes the form of a semi-articulated Diesel-electric railcar train, consisting of two articulated two-coach sets permanently coupled together, and moderately streamlined. The overall length of the train is about 280 feet, and there are seats for 222 passengers. As is now usual, a driving compartment is provided at each end. The train has four 275 b.h.p. Frichs “Scandia” Diesel engines, arranged in pairs with their generators at each end. Each engine and generator can be worked independently of the others, affording useful power variation. All controls are arranged to enable the train to be run in sets of four, eight or twelve cars. The coaches are of all-steel construction, electrically welded, and the electrical and other apparatus built in the underframes is enclosed in sheet steel housings as part of the streamline plan. A kitchen and dining saloon is included in the design, and the trains are capable of as high a speed as 87 m.p.h., while refuelling is only necessary every 1,000 miles.