NEW BOAT-TRAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1940, Page 7

NEW BOAT-TRAIN

THE HOOK CONTINENTAL. Though aeroplanes and motor cars are doing much to reduce the numbei of passengers who travel by rail, there is still a need for the railways of the world. Every day improvements arc being made, and the wonderful locomotives built during recent year' show us that the ’slogan "It's quickei by rail" still has some truth in it.

A new boat-train, introduced a few months ago and called The Hook Continental. runs in conjunction with the sailings between Harwich and The Hook of Holland. It consists of 11 coaches, having seats for 84 first-class passengers and 24 C second-class passengers, besides twe Pullman cars. Weighing .about 486 tons, it covers 69 miles in 87 minute:-. One of the greatest advantages of the new train lies in the ability of passengers to enjoy meals without, leaving their carriages for special dining saloons. Two kitchen cars have been provided, and meals are served on tables in front of the seats. The coach bodies, built of teak, are mounted on steel under-frames of welded construction, while compound bolster bogies ensure that the riding shall be of a high standard. To ensure quietness of the body, sides, and roof are insulated with asbestos blanket material. The windows are of double glass, with an insulating space between. The train has a system of ventilation by which filtered air. warmed and controlled thermostatically, is introduced at floor level, and is extracted through grilles in lighting fittings in the roof. Lighted by electricity throughout, electricity is also used for the cooking plant, which includes automatic refrigerators.