FUTURE TRAINS.

Shannon News, 21 March 1924, Page 4

FUTURE TRAINS.

TWO MIT ES LONG,

Witlhin 25 years there will be running on American iuilways freight tirains two miles in length, declares Mr. F. H. Hardin, of the engineering staff -of the New York Central; At present it is impossible to have very long trains because of the difficulty of controlling one end from the other, but tills problem of communication may be overcome by installing radio outfits at either end. If at any time it should be necessary tlo apply the brakes at both ends of the train at once this would be possible by means of radio. Radio will further make it practicable to link up the trains, the singletowers and the train despatchers in a system of instant communication which will make for greater safety and' efficiency. Mr Hardin anticipates ' also that the railway tunnel, which is diffioult tlo ventilate, and in case of accidents forms a dangerous pocket, wiill virtually disappear. In building new lines tunnels will be avoided as far as possible, while many tunnels in use today will be converted into cuttings by the simple process of blowing away their roofs. The locomotive of the future will be of a new design, according to these prophecies. The headlight above the boiler will be superseded by a powerful searchlight much neai’er the 'tracks. The smoke, stack will disappear, and in its place will be a small opening, probably in an entirely different position. The railway terminus will be a form of inverted Skyscraper into which trains will enter on different levels, connected by a series of ramps. Passenger cars will be somewhat longer than at present, but no greater width. The theatre or auditorium car, equipped for giving theatrical performances, moving picture shows or radio concerts, is contemplated by Mr Hardin as a further possibility.