New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-01
FAST RAILWAY RUNNING.


A new worlds record for sustained speed on
q railroad has just been established in Eng
land. The distance frcm London to Plymouth
by the Great Western line is n fraction under
246 miles One train now makes the trip In
each direction daily in 265 minutes. or at the
rate of 55S miles an hour. The performance is
remarkable for two things. Specials have made
the run before more quickly, but this Is the
first time that a regular service of the kind
has been introduced. Hitherto it has been usual
10 stop on the way. at Exeter, for water, where
as there is at present no interruption what
| soever.
One realizes how credtable is the innovation
when he makes comparison between the new
trains on the Great Western and those on TWO
or three Of the best American roads. by way
of the Shore Line Boston and New-YOrk are
233 miles apart. Once n day 1t is possible 10
travel either way by that route in five hours,
or at the rate Of 1876 miles an hour. More
over. the Journey involves TWO or more stops.
No doubt the New-Haven Railway Company
could make a better showing if it wished. but
apparently it does not care to do so. From
Jersey City to Washington by the Pennsyl-
vania road the distance is close TO 22S miles,
and there are expresses which traverse 1t In
about 80 minutes. at an average speed Of
forty-eight miles an hour. These trains also
stop at least twice. The Empire State Express.
from New-YOrk to Buffalo. travels about fifty
four miles an hour but no single run with the
same locomotive exceeds $50 miles. For a long
time this country enjoyed the distinction of
developing higher railway speeds than any
other. II America has temporarily lost the honor
1t will probably not be many months before
1t is recovered through fresh enterprise.
The Great Western has been enabled to make
this notable exhibition by a series of improve
ments which have been in progress for four
teen years. Curves have been eliminated from
its track, the bed has been largely reconstruct
ed and countless bridges and viaducts have
been rebuilt Engineering" says that COM
petent expert has pronounced 1.-The permanent
way" of the Great Western 1.-THE most perfect
of any in the world" A few steep grades are
still left in DevOnshire. but the other altera-
tons have made it possible to run safely at
speeds which would otherwise have been out
of the question. The necessity for delay at
Exeter has been avoided by placing one or two
more water troughs along the track and by
charging the coal capacity of the tender. Fine
locomotives are employed, of course, 10 haul
the new trains. Examination at the end of a
run OF 246 miles shows that their bearings are
not seriously heated. However, it is not proba-
bic that the engines themselves have better
steaming qualities than many in this country.
The chief contribution to the performance is
made by the changes along the line.
Several considerations seem TO have impelled
the Great Western TO undertake these improve
ments y sharp rivalry exists between that
company and the London and South Western,
whose line to Plymouth is a few miles shorter
than the other. Engineering is inclined 10
believe that by expressing a wish that the
managers Of English railways would wake
up the Prince Of Wales supplied an important
stimulus a year or two ago Furthermore, it is
not unlikely that the growing competition be-
tween Plymouth and other British ports may
have eXerted an influence. Whatever be the
explanation. the result is certainly handsome.
and England is TO be congratulated upon the
achievement.