NER Red Cross train
Opportunity for public to inspect Red Cross train built in York
NER RED CROSS TRAIN
Opportunity for Public Inspection
The provisions made for the comfort of our wounded men on the journeys from the casualty clearing station to the base hospital is a matter of much general interest, and the public are to be afforded an opportunity of inspecting a very fine Red Cross ambulance train of 16 coaches, which has just been built by the North-Eastern Railway Company in its carriage and wagon works at York for service on the Continent.
The train in its entirety is to be available for public examination at the principal centres on the North-Eastern system during the week commencing Friday next, the 19th inst., and the gross proceeds are to the be handed over to the British Red Cross Society.
The Train Described
The train is vestibuled throughout, fitted with electric light and fans, and warmed by a high-pressure steam heating system supplied from the engine.
Its total length is 890ft. 8in. over buffers, and the weight when loaded approximately 460 tons, exclusive of the engine. The exterior is painted khaki colour, with a red cross on a white ground on both sides of each vehicle.
There is accommodation on the train for staff and patients to the number of 445. This accommodation, by the conversion of some of the beds for sitting-up cases, can be increased to provide space for 659 cases. The accommodation includes provision for a staff of 49 to live on the train.
There are eight ward cars, each fitted with 36 cots for lying down cases, or by conversion as mentioned for 60 cases, (12 lying down and 48 sitting). Each ward car is equipped with lavatory and ample cupboard accommodation, and an independent supply of drinking water, whilst space for the easy manipulation of stretchers has been allowed for. Each cot of the ward cars is provided with a rack for oddments, spitting cup, and ash tray.
A pharmacy car
Situated midway between the ward cars is a pharmacy car, divided into five compartments, namely, dispensary, treatment room (fitted with operating theatre, portable electric lamp, and sterilising tank), office, linen-room, and pantry for medical comforts.
The remaining cars include an infectious sitting car to hold 70 patients, hygienically fitted throughout; two kitchen cars, one of them affording accommodation for sitting sick officers, and the other having mess rooms for the train staff, a staff car, with day and sleeping accommodation for medical officers and nurses, brake and infections lying cases car, accommodating 18 patients, and containing isolation wards, each with separate lavatory and sink; brake and stores car, fitted with spacious store rooms and meat safe; personnel cars, fitted similarly to the ward cars, but ordinarily used as a living car for the orderlies.
The staff and personnel cars are each equipped with a self-contained heating installation for use when the train is standing in sidings.
The train consists of 16 coaches arranged in the following order:-
One brake and infections lying down car provides for 1 train guard and 18 lying-down cases.
One staff car – 4 nurses and 4 medical officers.
One kitchen car, with accommodation for sitting sick officers – 3 cooks and 20 cases
One sick officers’ lying-down ward car – 36 lying-down cases
Three ordinary lying-down ward cars – 144 lying-down cases
One infectious sitting car – 36 sitting-up cases and 14 lying-down.
One kitchen and mess-room car – 3 cooks.
One personnel car – 33 persons.
One brake and stores car – 1 train guard.
With the bottom beds in the ward cars rearranged for sitting-up cases, the accommodation is increased to 692.
Public Inspection Dates
The train will be on view to the public as follows:-
Friday, 19 October, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., York Station, Nos. 1 and 2 Platforms.
Saturday, 20 October, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Hull (Paragon) Station, Nos. 9 and 10 Platforms
Sunday, 21 October, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Newcastle (Central) Station, Nos. 14 and 15 Platforms
Monday, 22 October, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monkwearmouth, Wearmouth Siding (entrance from Newcastle. rd., and Loch Maben-Terr.).
Tuesday, 23 October, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Middlesbrough, Dock Sidings, Nos. 9 (entrance from east end of Dock-st.).
Wednesday, 24 October, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Darlington, Hopetown Loading Dock (entrance from North-rd., or Northgate and Station-rd.)
Date: 12-Sep-1917
Author: Auckland Chronicle
Reference: D/WP 4/40 Microfilm Reference M61/41
Where to find this: Durham County Record Office
Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham
