Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Accidents, Invention, Electricity, Commerce

    Discusses a Morning Post report of a fire on a second-class railway carriage en route from Bedford to London, which almost resulted in passengers being burnt alive. Explains how the fire started and spread, but points out that owing to the 'prompt exertions' of the general manager of the Midland Railway Company the fire was extinguished. Observes that the accident suggests the need for better communication between passengers and the guard, a requirement that has been fulfilled by an invention of 'the electrician', William H Preece, which is in use on the London and South Western Railway.