Rail Transport in Russia.

Russian railway working has been under a cloud for some years. By degrees, transportation in this important part of Europe is being put on a better footing, and new and improved equipment of various kinds is being acquired. Huge 2–10–2 and 2–10–4 steam locomotives have for some time hauled main-line freight trains in the Moscow area. Now these machines have been supplemented by even bigger engines having seven coupled axles, designed for coal haulage between Donetz and Moscow.

Wheel diameter of the new locomotives is 5ft. lin., cylinder diameter 29in. and stroke 32in., working pressure 227lb. per sq. in., heating surface 4,770 sq. ft., grate area 107 sq. ft., tractive effort 66,000lb., total weight 186 tons, and maximum speed 46½ miles per hour. Loads of 3,000 tons are hauled, composed of 25 and 30-ton wagons. For the bulk haulage of coal traffic, the new locomotives should prove most useful.