Moveable platforms

ONE of the characteristics of British railway operation from very early years has been the provision of platforms, now normally 3ft 1½in above rail level but in past times often lower, in order to enable passengers to board the carriages at footboard level. In contrast, many other countries have relied, and still do rely, on steps at the ends of corridor coaches and a series of footboards on vehicles with isolated compartments, so that passengers board from rail level. This simplifies station arrangements, as passengers can easily cross the line, but considerations of safety have recently caused some of the large Continental countries to adopt British type platforms at important stations, Normally the British platform has always been a fixed structure, but, on a