3 Questions

1. The decision by GR’s managements came after a test run from Rexford to Donnebrook revealed that the new trains can cover the 45 kilometers separating the two towns in half the time it takes GR’s current trains.



Which does the phrase “separating the two towns in half the time it takes GR’s current trains.“ modify or refer to in the original sentence?

And why there is no comma before “separating ….”?



2. The new trains will gradually replace those currently in service, introduced by GR 25 years ago.



Which does the phrase” introduced by GR 25 years ago.“ modify or refer to in the original sentence?





3. They plan to upgrade the longest routes first, beginning with the distances longer than 100 kilometers.



Which does the phrase” beginning with the distances longer than 100 kilometers.“ modify or refer to in the original sentence?







Original Article:



Gaelic Railways (GR), the national railway, announced yesterday that it has entered into a contract with train manufacturer Dunnlow for the purchase of fourteen new electric trains. The decision by GR’s managements came after a test run from Rexford to Donnebrook revealed that the new trains can cover the 45 kilometers separating the two towns in half the time it takes GR’s current trains.



The new trains will gradually replace those currently in service, introduced by GR 25 years ago. The railway company had originally intended to complete the project in a 5-year span so as to let the last phase of the transition coincide with the end of the 30-year life expectancy of GR’s current fleet.



However, company officials were so excited by the performance of the Dunnlow trains that the decision was made to pull all current trains from the tracks within 3 years. They plan to upgrade the longest routes first, beginning with the distances longer than 100 kilometers.



Negotiations between GR and Dunnlow have been going on for nearly 2 years. The lengthy duration of the talks was mostly due to reluctance on the part of the government to help fund the project. Says Shane O’Farrel, GR’s spokesperson, ”We had difficulty convincing the authorities that buying new, faster rains, while expensive, was a worthwhile investment. Gradually, however, the government realized that adequate transportation is indispensable for the continued development and prosperity of the region.”