A NOVEL RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 92, 23 April 1900, Page 4

A NOVEL RAILWAY.

On of the most novel railroads ever planned is at present being constructed between Barmen and Elberfeld, in Germany. It is what is known as a suspension railroad, and the inventor of the system according to which it is being built is Herr Engene Langen. Suspension railroads are not altogether a new thing, but there has never been one which has been brought to such perfection as this . ,ae in Germany. One notable feature is that electricty is to be used as the motive power, and another is that even the sharpest curves can be passed with facility and absolute safety. Several tests which have recently, been made show that the carriages are not shaken in the least when passing a curve. Indeed,RoeasUydothey mn that passengers are not jolted at all. The final test was made with some large open vessels, which were filled with water and left on the floor of the carriage. After the sharpest curve in the road had been passsd it was found that hardly a drop had been spilled. The carriages are suspended freely, and the rails rest en light, yet strong, supports. Thewheelsranonasinglerail. It is estimated that the average speed will be forty kilometres an hour, and it is claimed that this can, if necessary, be easily increased. The cost of the road will be about 500,000 marks for each kilometre.

Barmen and Elberfeld are populous towns the number of inhabitants being about 300,000. For a long time there has been a steady traffic between them, and this is the main reason why the present railroad is being built.