The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-04-24
SIBERIAN
RAILROAD
Luxury in Mid-AsiatiC
Travel.
FINEST CARS IN THE WORLD
Bathroom, Gymnasium, Library, Dark
Room and Handy eIectrI-
cal Appliances.

NEW YORK, April s.-(Correspond-
once Am album containing views OF
the new trains on the Trans Siberian
Railroad was received recently by
George IL. Daniels as gift from Prince
Michel Hilkoif, Imperial Minister of
Ways and Communication OF Russia.
Mr. Daniels had acted as the Prince s
guide and host on trip up the Hud-
son river and throughOu, lne ota.e of
New York to Niagara Falls seyerai
years ago, and made every effort to
show the perfection o, tne Aner'cHu
railroads, especially the New York
Centrai. The pic1ules wnicn nave Deeh
sent to this country show that the Rus
sian railroad man was not satisfied
with simple imitation of what he
saw here, but nus, do better III many
respects than those railroad people
from whom he learned many things
about the business.
The empire safe Express train,
with its comfortable coaches, luxurious
drawing room aud aiuIus cars, Is
ecipsed by the trains wnicn are now
run uaiiy on the TransSIuerian road,
which, when competed, will extend
nom Moscow to Vladivostok.
/ he trains CONSIST "a one first-ClaSs
and TWO seCond-cIass coacAes, dining
car ana baggage Cur. ne entrance
10 the cars Is from the ends and not
from the sides, like the old style cars
in Europe; the engines are American,
and the trains look as though they
might have been transported from the
United States. There are no Sleeping
cars, because the compartments ale 90
arranged that the sofa seats may be
readily converted into couches, where
, one may rest comfortably. The cars
ale an lighted inside and at the ends
outside by electricity, and for each
compartment there Is. besides the hX
ed incandescent lamps, a movable lamp
which may be pIacea Oh me uab.e or
on brackets which are provlued Tor the
purpose. The first-class coach con-
tains bath room, with gymnasium ap-
paratus, a library Ill several IAN
guages, perfectly appointed kitchen,
luxurious dining compartments, and
appliances for ventiIalnS ana heating
that have never been eQualed in Eu
ropean railway coaches.
The dining room % probably the main
feature OF the new tam. The tul niLuIe
Is massive and highly polished, and the
table appointments are OF superior |
quality. At one end of the car is a
piano and at the other is the well filled
bookcase. Chesspoai writing tables |
and other small tables where coffee |
may be served or where games may be
played are scattered about the car, Civ
ing it the appearance of club on
wheels. There is a refrigerator or "ice
cellar" in the ear for keeping and
transporting perishable delicacies. and
there is also an arrangement by which
boiling water may be had within three
minutes.
All the windows are protected from
dust and wind by external plate glass
guards, and on the last car there is an
observation platform arranged SO that
1t may be inclosed with glass in stormy
weather.
Among other points as to the train
which the Russian ra. lroad people men
ton are: A stationary bicycle, with |
arrangements for measuring in minutes
and kilometers the amount OF work |
done; a barber, who Is also qualified |
to give medical assistance, and super
intendent, who speaks Rus-ian, French,
German and English. A lavatOry has |.
been fitted in the second class car, SO as |
to DE available for the enthusiastic |
photographer to change plates and de-
velop his work while on the journey. |
The kitchen IS arranged and provided |
to furnish a no, dinner for sixty peo-
PIE. Paper and envelopes are supplied |
rec at the buffet, where Lot and cold |
drinks of all kinds may he had. One Of
the strange features is that me services
IF the barber are free, but bath costs
two rubles. and the passenger who
wishes to indulge in the luxury must |
give three hours notice.
The road over which these cars run
has five-foot gauge, uniform with all
the roads in European Russia the |
bridges are all OF iron, and the stations
are artistic and picturesque. comforta-
bile, substantial and equal to the aver
age station on the Pennsylvania or New
York Central roads.
A traveller who made the trip re-
Gently, after speaking OF the comforts
On the train and how they were doub-
" appreciated because they were I'M
looked for, said that 1t was delight
n take a meal In the station restaur-
ants.
ION entering the dining room" he
said. you will find at one end an i'm
mense sideboard literally grooming un-
der load OF newly prepared Russian
always piping hot, and OF such
u fuiltly w ihbhS
through the whole gamut of human
fancy and tastes. You receive a plate
with knife and fork. Making your
own selection you retire to any OF the
neatly spread tables to enjoy your meal
at your leisure. The price. too, Is
surprise to one accustomed to metro
politan charges. You can have soup,
as fine beefsteak as you ever ate, a
splendid roast chicken, whole. cooked
In Russian style. toothsome and juicy;
and other vegetables, and a
Nottle Of beer, all for one ruble-about
so cents"
The managers of the road under
stand that safety is che idea upDermost
In the minds OF the railway Ministry.
Besides the electrical and other appli-
ances used in the best railway prac-
lice. great army Is employed 10
guard and patrol the track. The road
IS divided into blocks or sections of