NEW SLEEPING CAR

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2913, 23 July 1925, Page 4

NEW SLEEPING CAR

FOR MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Mr G. S. Lynde, Chief Mechanical Engineer, Railway Department, has designed a new sleeping ear, the building of which has now commenced (says the Post). This ear will he exhibited at the Dunedin Exhibition, and has ten transverse compartments, totally enclosed, giving absolute privacy, two of the compartments containing double berths and the remainder single berths. Each compartment has a lavatory basin with hot and cold water, etc., also an electric fan, electric bunk light, ventilators, and extractors; the compartments will also be fitted with comfortable beds. The interior will be panelled in polished mahogany and cedar. The ceiling will lie white and picked out with suitable mouldings, and the whole of the interior fittings are of oxidised silver. Rubber flooring will be provided in the corridors. At each end of the car lavatories and wash hand basins with hot and cold water are provided. The lavatory conveniences of these ears will be equal to the latest sleeping ears built in England. This is Ihe longest car built for the Main Trunk line, and is fitted with steam heat, the control of which is regulated by the passengers. Ample water will he carried in suitable, tanks which are slung to the underframe of the car, and the supply will he under constant pressure to (he water taps by an electrical automatic water raiser. Special attention has been paid to the springs and bogies to ensure the utmost comfort to passengers. Alongside the sleeping ear will he an old six-wheeled “C” ear bnlit in New Zealand many years ago. A main line express engine of the ‘‘Ah” type will form another exhibit, the coupled wheels of which will revolve slowly, although the engine and tender will remain stationary. This engine will remain in traffic until a week or so before the opening of the Exhibition, when she will he put in the shops and painted, having completed up to that dale some I.2ft--000 miles —returning into service after the Exhibition. Alongside this engine will be the engine known as the “Josephine,” built in England as far hack as 1872. Those exhibits will show Hie public what progress has been made on the New Zealand Government Railways.