COMBINED RAIL AND ROAD TOURS.
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An Enterprising Railway Company who, with the Assistance of Prominent Coach Owners, have Arranged a Series of Co-operative Tours.
AS INDICATED in a recent issue of The Commercial Motor, the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. are very much alive to the advantages of coordination of road and rail interests, and have of late made rapid advances in the way of providing -useful facilities for pleasure-seekers by the utilization of both modes of transportation. Their earliest efforts in this diiection were concerned with the inauguration of combined road-rail-steamer excursions from a number of the larger north-country centres of population to Lake tills water, the English Lucerne. The success attending that venture has been such is to induce the company to break further ground in this direction, and a more recent development is the introduction of numerous extremely attractive rail-road tours amidst the beauties of mid and north Northumberland.
Such a des+elopment in the way of clay excursions has much to commend it, for there are large numbers of people who undoubtedly prefer to commence a motor journey right out in the country rather than cover the first few miles through far from pleasing populous districts abounding with large industrial estate lishments. By means of the plan adopted by the L.N.E.R. passengers are quickly transported by train into the heart of the country, and can then proceed by a motor coach at a more leisurely speed and enjoy to the full the countryside. The scheme also possesses outstanding advantages over the usual railway • excursion, which generally means that travellers are left entirely to their own devices.
At the outset two rail centres, Hex. ham and Alnwick, are being used for these new tours. The arrangement does not apply to single bookings, but only to parties of twelve or more, and fares for the round trip are as low as circumstances will permit, and work out at about ILd. per passenger per mile.
Hexham serves as the starting point for four tours which provide holidaymakers with a wide and attractive field in the picturesque and historic Tynedale district, and in the heart of Northumber
land generally. The rail journey to Hexham is about 20 miles, and by arrangement with W. Robb and Sons, Ltd., of that town, the railway company make through bookings for the follow:ng tours :— Through tickets from numerous other towns around Tyneside are also issued at proportionate fares. Similarly, front Alnwick, by arrangement with Messrs. Gray's Motors, a variety of routes is offered for outings in north Northumberland districts. These are as shown 'below :— • The nature of these tours (their extent can be gauged' from the maps on this
page) indicates that distinct progresi has been made since the date when heated rivalry was waged between road and rail interests, and without doubt there is a very wide scope for such cooperative arrangements, for by such a means each secures benefit.
At present the scheme is being confined to Northumberland, but should the demand justify it, it will be extended to cover other popular resorts throughout • the north-east of England. Other tours now being operated by the L.N.E.R. in conjunctton with motor coaching companies include those from Scarborough and Whitby, in which the road facilities are provided by Messrs.
Robinson, who own one of the largest coach fleets in the North Country.
Buses For a Military Camp.
Of late United Automobile Services, Ltd., who, from their northern headquarters at Bishop Auckland, operate a vast network of motorbus routes in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, with recent extensions into North Yorkshire, have been making Significant developments in the neighbourhood of Darlington. Now, another addition has been made to these developments in the " Quaker town" by the inauguration of a new service, joining up that town with Catterick Camp.
The institution of the new service is pt. interest as displaying the enterprise of this company, for the camp has recently been taken over by the War Office with a view to its being reconstructed as a permanent military depot, and in the near future it will become the "Aldershot of the North." Already a few odd detachments are in occupation, and by' the end of the. year it is expected that at least one brigade will have taken up permanent residence. In all, the camp will accommodate about 80,000 men, and,
as can be seen, once Regular Array units are accommodated, there will be extensive business, for the camp is situated fully three or four miles from the nearest railway station. The mileage of the new route will be about 14.
The Motor Coach and Farming.
The motor coach has undoubtedly been the moans of improving the agri• cultural educational facilities a the country. It is becoming the practice now for agriculturists to organise educational tours and outings, and that these are popular is manifested by the increased demand for such opportunities. An example of this was provided by members of the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture on the occasion of the recent conference at Cupar. On the first day a tour was run to Rathillet, St. Andrews, Balbuthie and Balcarras, and the following day a run was made to Balmanno, Kinross House and Msstertian, ending up at Dumfermline.