THE FIRE-PROOF TRAIN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 53, 24 June 1914, Page 4

THE FIRE-PROOF TRAIN.

A little crowd of sightseers paid for platform tickets to stand on ictoria Station, Manchester, recently, to see the new fireproof saloon train which the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway hare put on their service between Manchester and Southport. Seen from outside (says the Daily Mad), the train looks like any other, but the material under the outer brown paint is steel, and not wood. Outside the carriage there is no wood at all beyond the footboards. The frame, the under frame, the bogies, and the !sides are all of steel. The floorings 1 a re all double, and are “insulated” !with asbestos. The lighting of the jtrain is by gas, but the gas tanks [are separated from the flooring by thick steel plates. They are also encased in steel to protect them from 1 damage. Each gas tank is fitted 'with automatic valves, and if a gas ; p>ip» should b* broken, these valve*

at once prevent any further outlet of I gas. A novel feature is a largo window in the centre of each coach, hinged horizontally and opening outwards and upwards. This window ia intended as an emergency exit. The train has a central corridor throughout its length of nearly 500 ft. At each end is a large tool rack containing axes, crow-bars, fire extinguish- • ers, and other salvage and rescue ap- ; paratus. The train has accommodation for nearly 400 passengers.