MAIN TRUNK SLEEPING CARS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 423, 13 August 1908, Page 3

MAIN TRUNK SLEEPING CARS.

The carriages to be used on the Main Trunk express will be the widest it is possible to use on the New Zealand railways, the outside measurement being Bft gin. They will be the only ones of this width on the lines. Their length over all (including platforms) will be 50 feet, the same as the big dining cars. The actual body length is to be 44ft 6in. Along one side is to run a corridor Ift gin wide. At either end of the carriages is to be provided ample lavatory accommodation, that at one end being reserved for females, and that at the other for males. The rest of the space will be occupied by four large and two small compartments, each of which is to be 6ft long. The two latter each 3ft 11 3-Bin wide, will occupy the centre of the car, and will provide accommodation for two sleepers. The larger compartments are to be 6 feet 6 inches wide, and to contain four berths. During the day the large compartments will each accommodate six passengers, and the smaller ones three. The ordinary seat will form the lower berth, while the upholstered back, by an ingenious arrangement, with a push up and a pull over, be turned into the upper story. No mattress will be required for the first named, the upholstered seat acting in that capacity, but one will be provided for the top bunk. During the day it will lie folded up an stowed underneath the seat. The operation of conversion will occupy but a few minutes. The bedding supplied will be the same as that in use on the steamers. Heating will be accomplished by means of steam radiators fed from the locomotive, one to each two compartments. • The temperature may be regulated at will and with the utmost ease. Electric bells will be installed, so that an attendant may be called to any berth at any time. The lighting will be by Pintsch gas lamps, fitted with inverted incandescent mantles. All the windows are to be exceptionally large and capable of being opened, there being smaller sashes above the ordinary ones for purposes, of ventilation. Standard ventilators are also provided in the roof.