PETROL-DRIVEN TRAINS FOR FRANCE.
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How Examples of Old Rolling Stock are Being Converted to do Duty as Railcars.
THE FRENCH State Railways are at present adopting petrol-driven trains to replace steam-propelled locomotives on many of their local lines. In order to enable this change-over to be effected as economically as possible, a conversion set, has been designed whereby old rolling stock can be utilized. This set is constructed by the famous Schneider firm, and the arrangement is simple.
One end of an existing four-wheeled second-class carriage is turned into an engine-room. The springing at this end of the carriage is suitably strengthened; and a four-cylinder 60 h.p. Schneider engine is placed transversely across the carriage. This engine has a bore and stroke of 135 min. and 170 ram. respectively, and develops its full power of 1,000 r.p.m. to 1,260 r.-p.m. A gearbox giving four speeds and a reverse is em ployed, and from it the drive to thecountershaft is is transmitted by a very
wide, single silent chain: The final drive is by twin chains.
The first trials with one of these machines were carried out about twelve months ago. They were so satisfactory that a few months later two converted trains of this type were put into regn,. Jar service on the Mortagne-St, Gauburge line, in the department of •Orne. This line is about 22 miles long, and the motor trains complete the journey in 1 hr. 10 mini., including certain time for stops. These trains run about four miles to the gallon of fuel consumed, and, although this figure would appear to be rather heavy, it must be remembered that thefl Mortagne-St. Gauburge line is a difficult one, and includes several fairly stiff gradients. The carriage in which the engine is installed tows an ordinary third-class coach, and the total weight of the train empty is 23.73 tons. A speed indicator is placed in the driving compartment, which shows the relation between the speed of the train and the engine revolutions. This enables the driver to select the right moment for changing gear, even if he be quite unfamiliar with the operation of an internal-combustion engine, because, naturally, the . drivers -will be drawn from the regular staff.
The success of these first experimental trains has encouraged the State Railway Co. to proceed with further conversions of their old rolling stock, and ten conversion sets similar to that which is illustrated on this page are now under construction in the Schneider works.