22 SEPTEMBER 1923, Page 3

At Southend an interesting demonstration is being given of what

is called a " Never-Stop Train." Perhaps the invention contains the solution of the future traffic problems of great cities. Readers of Mr. H. G. Wells may remember that he described some years ago parallel lines of moving pavement. The idea was that as each strip would be moving only a little faster than the one next to it, a man could pass from a very slow moving strip to a very fast moving one. He would stand on a fast moving strip till he was near his destination, and then go to the slowest moving strip, off which he could step as easily as one steps from a moving stairway. But the railway at Southend is more ingenious. The carriages run one behind the other, but are capable of quickly changed speeds. At a station they slow down so that anybody can easily alight, but directly they arc clear of the station there is a rapid acceleration.