RAIL MOTORS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1924, Page 4

RAIL MOTORS.

GROWING POPULARITY. SYDNEY, Feb. 28

New South Wales a few years ago embarked upon the experiment of using motor trains on some of the railway lines, It was found that they served their purposes admirably, and, being less costly and more economical to run, removed from the line on which they were first run—Grafton to Lismore, on the north coast—the reproach too common amongst country lines, i.e., that they are “non-paying. A series of cars lighter than the ordinary railway car, but with most of its comforts, is drawn by a motor engine over the ordinary railway line. South Australia is now following the-Mother State’s lead and had just received from Service Motors. Ltd., of Indiana, U.S.A., the first of 1- rail motors that have been ordered. It differs considerably from those which have hitherto been run on the New South Wales system. The car, which is painted in navy blue and lemon, is very similar in shape to some of the smaller cars on the Adelaide tramways and is about the same size. It seats about 10 passengers and has a luggage compartment near the driver, which will also carry light parcels and a few cream cans. The power unit is a OS h.p. pel red motor, which operate, directly on the four front wheels, and brakes are fitted on to each of the eight wheels, which are arranged on bogies. The brakes are worked on the Westinghuuse system. There is also an air compressor operated through a magnetic clutch, and when the necessary pressure is reached it automatically "cuts out,’’ and "cuts in” again when the pressure tails. There are six forward and three reverse nears, an electric soil-starter

aid horn, powerful electric lights for reading in the coach. The seats are of cane, similar to those used on cleoi r ic cars and suburban railway coaches, and are very comfortable. Kuril of the wheels has rubber inserts, and vibration is negligible. The conveniences provided on the oav arc lavatory, hand howl, iced water and

paper drinking cups. The car weighs Li tons 2 cwt, and cost CofiflO exclusive of duly. The only blemish receiv-

ed in transit was a small crack in one of tlie windows. The whole of the car is steel, except for a grooved wooden floor, so that the risk of fire is reduced to a minimum. When the new machinery for pressing steel is received at Islington, the bodies for future ears and trailers to attach io the present cars will he manufactured there. There are 500 similar cars in

use in the United States of America and the New South Wales Government has ordered 50.