FAST RAILWAY SPEEDS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1121, 3 May 1880, Page 4

FAST RAILWAY SPEEDS.

The speed of railroad trains in France, Germany, and the United States is still below that of several lines in England. The “ lightning train” on the ParisMarseilles line makes the distance of 599 miles between these two cities in 15 hours and 21 minutes, the average speed, including stoppages, being 35 miles an hour. The express train on the Lehter Railway runs from Berlin to Cologne at the rate of 37| miles an hour, including stops, making the entire distance of 364 miles in nine hours and 26 minutes. The Scottish mail leaves Euston square at 8.60 in the evening and reaches Edinburgh at 6.45 the next morning. The distance is 401 miles, the time nine hours and 55 minutes, the rate of speed, including stops, forty-one and a-quarter miles an hour. The express from King’s Cross runs to Edinburgh, a distance of 397 miles, in nine and a half hours, or at the rate of 42 miles an hour, including stops. The fast train from Paddington to Plymouth, and the Irish mail from London to Holyhead, average between 41 and 42 miles an hour, or about the same as the Scottish trains. The fastest short distance trains in Germany are those which run from Spandau to Stendal, 67 and a-half miles, without stopping, in one hour ond 17 minutes, or at the rate of 45 miles an hour, and the express, which makes the distance of 88| miles between Berlin and Magdeburg, in two hours and seven minntes, or at the rate of 42 miles an hour, including two stops. In England a much higher rate of speed is attained on short distances. The Great Western trains run through from London to Swindon at the rate of 53 miles an hour, making the entire distance of 77 and aquarter miles in one hour and 27 minutes, while nearly 59 miles an hour is made by the special express, which runs from London to Wantham, 105 miles in two hours and five minutes. This is doubtless a much higher rate of speed than the usual schedule time on roads in the United States. The Washington limited express leaves New York at 10 a.m. and reaches Washington at4p.m. The distance, 230 miles, is made in six hours, or at the rate of 38 and one-third miles an hour, including stops. Between New York and Philadelphia but two stops are made, the rate of speed is 40 miles an hour. The Boston express, which leaves New York at 11 a.m., runs to Boston, 233 miles, in seven hours and 11 minutes, which is about 32 miles an hour, including the six stops that are made. The special mail and express train on the New York Central and Hudson River road makes the distance at night between New York and Albany, 143 miles, in four hours an d five minutes, or nearly 36 miles an hour, Only one stop is made. The Cincinnati express on the Pennsylvania railroad leaves New York at 6 in the evening, and reaches Pittsburg, a distance of 444 miles, at 8.30 on the following morning,' and Cincinnati, 757 miles, at 8 p.m, of the same day. The rate of speed, including stops, is about 30 miles an hour between New fork and Pittsburg, and 29 miles an hour between New York and Cincinnati. The distance between Harrisburg and Pittsburg, 249 miles, is run in seven hours and 35 minutes, with three stops, or about 34 miles an hour, The fast line to Chicago by way of the Pennsylvania road leaves New York at 9 a.m., and reaches Chicago at 7,30 on the following evening. The distance is 912 miles, the time 34 hours and 20 minutes, the rate o f speed less than 27 miles an hour.