TRAIN SPEEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 124, 27 May 1936, Page 8

TRAIN SPEEDS.

TRACKS SET LIMIT. CURVES Al\|D GRADIENTS. CONDITIONS IN DOMINION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In an interview to-day the Minister of Railways said that, in vieSv of recent criticism, it was only fair to the people of New Zealand, as owners of the railways, to know whether it was justified. He was referring.to speeds as compared with train speeds in other countries, and said lie had asked the general manager for some relevant particulars. These are contained in a lengthy statement, which sets out the whole position of engine loads and lines. The statement shows clearly how New Zealand, with its mountainous topography, makes fast time impossible by reason of curves and gradients. To make (say) the North Island Main Trunk line capable of being operated by trains such as the Flying Scotsman would cost many millions of pounds, and would entail tunnelling on a scale never yet undertaken anywhere in the world. In addition to this factor there is the fact of New Zealand's small population as compared with the huge population of Britain and contiguous Europe. Mr. G. H. Mackley, general manager, says the statement does not mean that nothing further by way of speed can be done in New Zealand, but is only intended to show that train performance in the matter of speed in New Zealand is as good for express trains as it is possible to have with the existing tracks and with trains of the present weight. He goes on to speak of the possibilities of the railcar, and says that on many suitable routes rail car units may be expected not only to effect very substantial savings in time, but also to provide very clean and comfortable transport in conformity with the most modern standards.