RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. 261 



the tickets, parcels, and telegraph ; a waiting-hall with glazed 

 front; a small waiting-room and w.c. for ladies; and a yard 

 with conveniences for gentlemen, coal store, etc. Access to the 

 station is obtained through a gateway in the platform fencing. 



Fig. 384 shows a somewhat similar arrangement, but with 

 two additional rooms. The road approach to the station is 

 brought alongside and parallel to the building, and access to the 

 platform is obtained by passing through the booking-hall, which 

 has a glazed front to the line. 



Fig. 385 gives the particulars of a building containing rather 

 more accommodation than the two preceding examples. 



Fig. 386 shows a small terminal station for a short branch 

 line where there is a moderate tourist traffic during the season. 

 In addition to the regular station accommodation, a refreshment- 

 room is added for the convenience of those passengers who have 

 to drive into the country, or have arrived at the station by road 

 conveyance. The platform roof, which is extended out over the 

 line of rails, as shown on the transverse section, forms a complete 

 covering for the platform, and serves for a carriage-shed at 

 night. 



The above sketches merely illustrate types of some small 

 stations suitable for home or colonial lines, and may be built of 

 stone, brick, concrete, iron, or timber. For towns of more import- 

 ance, the offices and rooms would have to be increased both in 

 number and size. On foreign lines it is customary to provide an 

 office and large hall fitted up with counters for the use of the 

 Local Excise Authorities in the examination of passengers' 

 luggage ; and at some stations one or more rooms have to be set 

 apart for the use of the military authorities. 



Narrow platforms should always be avoided, especially in 

 front of the offices and waiting-rooms. Nothing tends more to 

 check the proper expeditious working of the traffic than a con- 

 fined space for the movement of the passengers and of the station 

 staff carrying luggage. 



In cases where the traffic will warrant the expenditure, it 

 will be found an advantage to construct a light roof or verandah 

 over a portion of the platforms of roadside stations. This cover- 

 ing will provide a convenient shelter for the passengers and their 

 luggage, and prevent the crowding of booking-halls and door- 

 ways during inclement weather. In hot countries a verandah 

 or awning of some description on the platforms is an absolute 



