MAIN TRUNK LIMITED.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 283, 28 November 1924, Page 8

MAIN TRUNK LIMITED.

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON. JOURNEY REDUCED 3J HOURS. While the final arrangements have not \ct been made, the Kail way Department proposes to reduce by 3.' hours the train journeys between Auckland and Wellington, and vice versa. It is proposed that a limited Main Trunk express will leave Auckland each evening at 7.10, arriving in Wellington at fi.:i-"> the following morning, and that a train will leave Wellington each evening about the same time, thus making provision for the trips pitch way being completed overnight, leaving business men with a whole day before them for business. The reduction of the journey lo 14 i hours will he achieved by restricting the stops to six stations —Frankton, Tanniarunni, Ohakune, Taihape, Marton. and I'almerston North. Other stations which are served now by the existing train service, will be catered for. but no decision has yet been announced ac to whether tlie "second expresses between the termini will start at night, or in the morning. The second expresses would complete the trips in 16 hours, being two hours less than at present. Business Before Pleasure. A curious difference of opinion in regard to this point is evident in the annual railways statement, says our Wellington correspondent. He points out that the General Manager's section plumps for starting times which would enable the Ohakune to Taumarunui section to be traversed in daylight. This would be an attraction to tourists, and, according to the General Manager, observation carriages would be attached to tlie limited train to enable passengers to appreciate fully the scenic beauties of the lino along the central section. In the same report, however, the Minister of Railways definitely states that officers of the transportation branch are of the opinion that the service should leave both terminal stations about 7 p.m., reaching Auckland and Wellington respectively about 11 a.m. The Minister added that stopping places would be limited to Frankton, Taumarunui, Ohakune, Taihape, Marton Junction and. Palmerston North. The two viewpoints have evidently taken some time to reconcile, as the service was promised early in November. It may, however, be taken for granted that withiu a few days the limited train schedule will be finalised and that it will be for a night service. While day running in the central section would be attractive to tourists, there would lie little revenue derived, as few would travel specially between Auckland and Wellington for the purpose of viewing the scenery. The great bulk of steady traffic would be induced by the great advantage offered to business men of being able to leave either city at flight and arriving at titeir destination in time to do a day's buVness, and return to their original city next morning. This involves night running where the scenery is most picturesque, 'but its business advantages are beyond argument. If the. daylight scheme be decided upon, the train will probably leave Auckland at 7.50 a.m.. arriving in Wellington j at about midnight, with a train running i at a similar time from the Wellington end. i