ROYAL TRAIN JOURNEYS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27091, 14 July 1953, Page 8

ROYAL TRAIN JOURNEYS

ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE NO NEW CARRIAGES TO BE BUILT (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 13. Arrangements for trains for the Royal tour are now being discussed by the Railways Department and the staff organising the tour. No new carriages will be built, but suitable special trains will be assembled from Vice-Regal, Ministerial, and official cars held in each island. The coaches in which the Royal party will travel will be tastefully arranged, and will provide a high standard of comfort. These vehicles were built in New Zealand for the tour of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. and one has been retained in each island for Vice-Regal use. Though nearly 20 years old, the coaches are still very luxurious, and will require only slight internal modification. As with previous Royal tours, the Royal train will be preceded by a pilot train on all journeys. This train will consist of two engines, two day cars for any necessary advance officials. and a brake van. In the North Island the Royal train will be hauled by two JA class locomotives, the leading one of which will bear the Royal arms in colour surmounted by two Union Jacks. The Royal car will bear the Royal arms on either side. At the present stage of planning it is proposed that this train will comprise eight vehicles, there being in addition to the Royal coach a brake van and sufficient carriages to accommodate the small official party and its staff, executive officers and staff of the Railways Department, and representatives of the press, and film and radio men. There also will be dining and cooking facilities. The South Island train will be similar in most respects. South Island Journeys In the South Island the journeys by rail will enable the Royal party to view some of New Zealand’s finest scenery. The journey under the Southern Alps through the long Otira tunnel will be in marked contrast to their earlier flight over these mountains. The Royal train will travel from Greymouth to Christchurch on Monday, January 18. lunch being served on the train at Otira. A short stop will be made at Arthur’s Pass. On Monday. January 25. the Royal train will travel from Christchurch. It will be joined at Timaru by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who will have travelled by car from “Longbeach.” where they will have spent a short holiday. There will be stops at Oamaru and Palmerston for official welcomes, after which the train will continue to Dunedin. Functions at railway stations will be an important part of the official programme. Plans for these ceremonies are now being prepared, but many problems have still to be solved. Each station has its own peculiar problem, whether it is the location of the water tanks from which to refil the locomotives. the length of the platfoim, or suitable spaces for the public to assemble without hindrance to train movements. As a minor but important point, the train must be halted at each station so that Her Majesty’s carriage is exactly opposite the selected disembarkation spot. Stations at which official receptions are to be held will be appropriately decorated after painting and renovation. Plans for this work are already well advanced. Meal and cooking arrangements and the provisioning of the Royal trains require particular attention. Although ' not as extensive as previous tours, the coming Royal tour will nevertheless impose an exacting task upon the i railways refreshment branch, which 1 has already started on its plans.