More Attractive Stations.

Attractive passenger stations are now becoming the order of the day throughout Europe. During the last few years a great deal of attention has been paid to this question, with the result that the old drab terminus is becoming a thing of the past, and in its place has sprung up a really pleasing structure, attractive alike inside and out. After a series of experiments, the L.M. & S. Railway has adopted a range of six standard colours for painting its 2,500 passenger stations in a more cheerful and more attractive guise. The colours comprise two light shades (deep cream or Portland stone), either of which can be used in conjunction with any one of three dark shades (middle brown, middle Brunswick green, or Venetian red). The sixth colour—golden brown—is being used sometimes by itself, and some-times with another paint. It is most useful at stations where there are electric trains, and there is consequently iron dust in the air. This iron dust, peculiar to conditions of electric traction, causes a rust-like stain on the paint, but its effects are minimised when golden brown paint is used. No hard-and-fast rule is observed as to any particular colour scheme in any particular district, the scheme adopted for each L.M. & S. station being considered individually in relation to its environment and architectural characteristics.