FASTEST TRAINS IN THE WORLD

Patea Mail, 2 November 1880, Page 4

FASTEST TRAINS IN THE WORLD

A great stride seems to have been made by all the English rail ways in the matter of speed, notably by the M.E.ancl G.N.R. Some of the results obtained by the latter arc wonderful. The “ Scotchman ” will be quite in the shade shortly. There are no less then eight trains daily, running from King’s-eross to Grantham, 105 i miles, without a stop, and without picking up water, in 123 and 128 minutes each. From Grantham to Doncaster is 501, miles *' 1 whicli distance is covered several times a day, without a stop, in G1 minutes. From Grantham to Wakefield there arc 73 miles, which are accomplished in 77 minutes. This last run is at the speed of s(i-8S miles per hour. Allowing for stoppages, this last mentioned train runs 18G.J miles in 215 minutes) at a speed of 52-05 miles per hour. Compare this with some other favourite performances. The “Dutchman” runs from London to Exeter in 4-i hours, and stands on the road 20 minutes, thus running 193 miles in 235 minutes, or 49.5 miles per hour. That is broad gauge; but their fastest narrow gauge runs from London to Birmingham, 121 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes, Deduct 6 minutes, and we have running speed, 48.S per hour.

Let us take a light midland train. The 10 from London runs 192 miles (to Leeds) in 4$ hours, and stands 14 minutes. The speed, therefore, is exactly 45. Enough has been shown, however, to prove that the G.N.R. run, by a great deal, the fastest trains in the world; and not only that but they run the greatest number of them ; and with two exceptions, all convey third-class passengers in a state of luxury which secondclass passengers on less favored lines might envy. ________