THE history of the development of railcars or motor trains is reviewed and their economic application discussed. In Mr. Guernsey's opinion, the eventual design for general application will be some reasonable compromise between the past conservative and the present extreme designs. His conclusions are that:
Rail motor-trains properly applied can be largely used to hold and regain traffic for the railroads.
The principal competitor is the private automobile.
Motor trains probably cannot compete with the private automobile or the common-carrier bus, in frequent-stop local service.
The cost of operating service per passenger seat should be much less than that of present equipment.
Motor trains should be applied for operation over distances and at speeds where the overall time from point of origin to point of destination of the passenger will be less than by competing carriers, whether private or public.
Frequency of service must be considered, as well as schedule speed.
Because of speed, comfort and the like, such service should appeal to the public.
Streamlined motor-trains have been carried to such a point in streamlining and structural materials that the cost is excessive. There would seem to be a need for compromise construction.
The motor car more or less of past conventional types will continue to be used where the train consist must be varied.
The power equipment will be either carburetor or Diesel type, depending upon the conditions of application.