indicates what the final pattern of services might look like, but the actual pattern will be planned to ensure that the maximum ton mileage is moved with the minimum number of trains. The greater part of the mileage will be run on the more intensively operated main lines in the country serving the areas where population and industry are dense.
The Liner Train routes will interweave in a manner designed to connect between them most terminals by through services. A broad pattern of movement over the country as a whole by groups of routes is shown below:—
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Forward direction Return direction Total '000 tons London-Scotland 620 710 1,330 London-Midlands-South Lancashire 4,880 7,160 12,040 London-Southampton/Portsmouth 230 360 590 London-South Wales/Bristol-Plymouth 1,460 1.350 2,810 London-Yorkshire-Tyneside 1,350 2,260 3,610 South Wales/Bristol-Midlands-Yorkshire-Tyneside 2,140 3,760 5,900 South Wales/Bristol-South Lancashire-Scotland + 1,480 1,780 3,260 Other 9,460 TOTAL 39,000
Equipment
The project requires new types of equipment virtually throughout, except for locomotives.
As envisaged at present, the wagons will be bogie vehicles to ensure stability at high speeds, with a platform 42½ ft. long at a height of 3 ft. 1 in. above the rail. They will be fitted with the pneumatic brake and be kept permanently coupled.
The length and height of the platform depend on the dimensions of the containers. The international standard 8 ft. x 8 ft. container is difficult to accommodate within British Railways' loading gauge, but by designing a wagon with an appropriate wheelbase and with a very low platform it is possible to obtain completely adequate route availability for Liner Trains.
The containers will be built to the newly recommended international standard section of 8 ft. x 8 ft. The following are the principal dimensions:—
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Height Tonnage capacity Cubic capacity St.
- 00.00* 00*
tons cu. ft. 8 5 8 10 530 1,090 10 8 16 1,490 16
Туре Length Width ft. St. (1) Covered 10 (2) Covered 20 (3) Open 20 88 (4) Covered 27† (5) Open 27f ∞ CO DO 00 00 8
- According to purpose.
† 30 ft. when road regulations permit.
In many respects, apart from the overall dimensions and the provisions for securing and lifting them, these containers will be similar to experimental containers being developed on the London Midland Region.
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