AGRICULTURAL RAILWAYS

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 130, 4 June 1919, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL RAILWAYS

Among the many problems recentlyinvestigated by the Ministry of, Reconstruction (states a recent issue of Chambers's Journal) is that of transport in rural districts, the need for adequate means of carrying agricultural produce and passengers between villages and the nearest railway stations having been emphasised in the replies from county councils and other public bodies to a circular letter sent out by Dr. Addison asking their views on reconstruction matters. • After careful study of the requirements and the available transport systems, the department' concerned has recommended a network of light rail tracksi with . a two-foot 'gauge,' and these, as they are designed to foster- agri^ culture, have been given the appropriate name of 'Agrails.' To some people, rails only two feet apart may seem to form too small a track to servo any useful purpose. Such is by no means the case, however, many small. railways used in factories', and for carrying out important works being of two feet gauge, while hundreds of miles of this width -have been employed for military purposes at the various fronts. Passengers have been carried for years past on railways having much narrower gauges. The agrails are to be laid by the sides of roads, where these are wide enough, or over ditches, so as to.reduce to a minimum the amount of land required. Single lines are pro-, posed, with frequent passing loops, and a speed of twenty miles an hour is suggested. Where electricity is available, It will probably be used for traction on the principle of the electric tram. In other parts, steam or oil motors will be employed, and on branches to the various farms the trucks may. be hauled by horses. Some form of container that can be loaded at the farm and easily transferred to ordinary railway trucks is' almost certain to form part of the scheme, while the introduction of vehicles adaptable to either agrails or roads is not improbable. Presumably the system will be self-supporting, while at the same time lowering the cost of transport and expediting deliveries. Military material is being utilised at Biggleswade by the Board of Agriculture for an experimental scheme on the above lines.