CONTRACT PLACED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 10

CONTRACT PLACED.

TWO-COACH TRAINS. ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES. WELLINGTON-JOHNSONVXUE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The first section of line in New Zealand to be operated by electric motor coach trains will bo the Welling-ton-Johnsonville section. This statement was made by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. IX G. Sullivan, prior to leaving Wellington yesterday with the General Manager Of Railways, Mr. G. H. Mnckley, oil a tour of the North Island lines. Mr. Sullivan said that the electric motor coaches which were to be used would compare with any of the surburban electric services throughout the world, and would provide a fast, frequent and comfortable transport service. The Government lmd accepted ft tender for six two-coach trains completely equipped with electrical gear, the successful tenderers being the English Electric Co., Ltd., of London. Having in mind the relationship which exists between New Zealand and Great Britain, Cabinet had been pleased to approve of the contract being placed with a British firm.. The motor coach train will be controlled by one driver in the usual way, and the normal train will comprise one motor coach and a trailer. Special attention has been given to providing comfort for passengers, who will embark and alight through wide doors which open and close automatically, and are under the control of the guard. It is not possible to start a train till all doors are closed. A further provision for safety is the fitting of a device to the driving controller. Should the driver become ill, or leave his position for any purpose, the electric power is shut oif and the brakes bring the train to a standstill.

The seats for passengers will be upholstered in modern colourings and will be of the throw-over type to enable passengers to face the direction in which the train is proceeding.