ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAYS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26261, 4 November 1950, Page 9

ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAYS

SWEDISH EXPERTS ARRIVE. (Hru> Zealand Prue AMOciation/ WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. The electrification of the Swedish railway system paid for itself twice during the war, because of the savings it effected, said the chief electrical engineer of the Royal Swedish State Railways <Mr Lars Thorsten Thelander) on his arrival in Wellington by the flying-boat Aotearoa from Sydney to-doy. Mr Thelander. who was accompanied by Mr Erik Robert Ednlus, chief of the department for sub-stations and power for the electrification of Sweden’s railway was met by the general manager of New Zealand Railways (Mr F. W Aickin). The two Swedish experts are to advise on the electrification of New Zealand’s railways, with particular reference to the system to be adopted: alternating current or direct current. They will also advise on the technical provisions made for electrification, and on sub-stations, locomotives and rolling stock suitable for New Zealand conditions. They will spend about a week in Wellington and will then make a daylight rail trip to Auckland to examine the Auckland suburban system and the larger railway stations on the way. They will also advise on various subjects connected with electrification

Mr Thelander said that although only 40 ner cent: of Sweden's railway tracks were electrified (4100 route miles and 6000 track miles) they were the ones that carried 85 per cent, of the railway traffic. < ' 1 *—