316 Mr Anderson on the BaUways of Belgium. 



The coke required for the consumption of the locomotives 

 is manufactured at Monplaisir, Malines, Antwerp, Ghent, 

 Ostend, Ans, and Hal ; and costs at these places respectively, 

 L.l : 4 : 2i, L.l : 3 : ll^, L.l : 7 : 6|, L.l : 3 : 8^, L.l : 5 : 2|, 

 17s. Ofd., and L.l : 1 : 5, per ton. The quantity consumed in 

 1841, in running over 927,080 miles, was 29,303 tons, or 

 70-80 lb. per mile. This is including, however, the quantity 

 required for the reserve and lighting, which amounted to 4399 

 tons, and which, if deducted, will make the consumption 60-17 

 lb. per mile. In 1842, the distance run over was 987,432 

 miles, and the total quantity of coke consumed was 28,317 

 tons, or 64-24 lb. per mile. The quantity required for the 

 reserve and lighting was 5635 tons, and which, if deducted, 

 will make the consumption 51'46 lb. per mile. 



Besides the locomotive engines, there are 127 tenders, 514 

 carriages, 1223 different sorts of waggons for merchandise, and 

 273 waggons for railway use, such as the conveyance of coke, 

 and embanking operations. The whole are either in good 

 working order, or undergoing repair. There are in course of 

 construction, 15 tenders, 84 carriages, and 654 Avaggons for 

 merchandise. The carriages consist of three classes, as they 

 do in this country, but are much more commodious, and, in 

 some cases, vastly superior in comfort. For example, second 

 class carriages possess not only windows, but the seats are 

 cushioned, and almost as comfortable as those of the first class, 

 though, perhaps, a little less elegant. Even third class car- 

 riages have covered seats, and very often roofs supported upon 

 perpendicular iron rods fixed at the corners of the carriages. 

 The seats arc placed transversely, and without any proper mode 

 of entrance, which is a great inconvenience to passengers ; and 

 the doors are, in every case, unlocked, but are held close by a 

 catch, which can be opened and shut from either side of the 

 carriage. 



The rate of travelling, generally, is about 20 miles per 

 hour ; but on some lines, on account of the gradients, it varies 

 from 19 to 25 miles per hour. Each train is accompanied by 

 a couple of guards ; and, five minutes before the appointed 

 time of leaving any of the principal stations, a bell rings for 

 preparation, and, shortly afterwards, another for starting. 



