SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24749, 14 December 1945, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

OPENING CEREMONY TO MORROW CHRISTCHURCH-PICTON TIMETABLE The time-table for all classes of traffic between Christchurch and Picton after the opening of that part of the South Island Main Trunk railway tomorrow has been announced by the District Traflic Manager nf Railways (Mr F. S. Gray) in a letter to the Canterbury Chamber nf Commerce last evening. The time-table will be:— From Monday. December 17, to Monday. January 7. inclusive, expresses between Christchurch and Picton will operate daily (except Sunday) leaving Christchurch at 8.25 n.m., arriving at Kaikoura at 12.42 p.m., at Blenheim at 3.47 pan., and Picton at 4.35 p.m. Expresses will leave Picton at 9.50 a.m.. Blenheim at 10.40 a.m.. Kaikoura 1.38 p.m.. and will arrive at Christchurch at 6.7 p.m. After January 7. the expresses will operate only on Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays during the period the present coal-saving time-table is operating. Through goods tralllc will be handled by a train leaving Christchurch at 8.30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. It will arrive at Kaikoura at 4.45 a.m., connecting with a train leaving Kaikoura at 5.55 a.m. Jor Blenheim and Picton. Similar trains for goods tralllc will also operate in the reverse direction arriving at Christchurch at 4.40 a.m. On Tuesdays. Wednesdays, Thursdays. Fridays, and Saturdays, the official opening ceremony at Kaikoura to-morrow, a special passenger train will leave Christchurch at 7 a.m., arriving at Kaikoura at 11,30 a.m. The return train will leave Kalkoura at 5 p.m., arriving at Christchurch at 9.21 p.m. ’

FIRST TRAIN OVER LINE In preparation for the opening of the South Island Main Trunk railway 5P Saturday, a goods train comprising 69 trucks, with a load of approximately 750. tons, made a run over the line to Kaikoura on Wednesday, hauled by an AB class locomotive, A good number of people were present to see the train arrive at the station, and the railway vards were the scene of activity yesterday morning during shunting and marshalling before the departure of the train for Blenheim. Except for a parapet along the top the construction of the barrel tunnel south of the Kahaulara has been completed. A large number of persons from Blenheim and Christchurch are expected to travel in the two express trains to Kaikoura for the ceremony. Upon arrival of the Ministerial railcar, the Hon. R. Semple, accompanied by Mr E. P. Meachon. member of Parliament for the district, will attend an official luncheon which is being given by the Kaikoura County Council in a marquee on the grounds. The opening ceremony will he broadcast by National stations. The Blenheim Regimental Band will attend the celebrations, and a sports programme is being arranged for children.