REFRIGERATED WAGGONS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28002, 23 June 1956, Page 8

REFRIGERATED WAGGONS

MODERNISATION OF RAILWAYS

AUSTRALIAN DESIGN AND ' IDEAS FOR N.Z.

Modernisation of refrigerated rolling stock throughout New Zealand is planned by the Minister of Railways (Mr J. K. McAlpine). Mr McAlpine, who returned from Australia to Christchurch by air yesterday, said that he had arranged for the Commonwealth Engineering Company, of Sydney, to design a refrigerated waggon for the Government.

The Government would buy the blueprint for an undisclosed price, and then would call for tenders from all parts of the world for the waggon construction and delivery. Mr McAlpine said that the number of waggons ordered would depend on the amount of money the Cabinet would let him have, but about ha’f the number ordered would be put into service in the South Island.

The new waggons would be similar to the Vb class of refrigerated rolling stock used bv the Railways Department at present, except that they would be built in steel.

“Thev will be a verv much better tyne.” Mr McAlnine said.

The new waggons are the same size as the present stock and will use the same icebox .method of refrigeration but improved insulation will ensure refrigeration for much longer. The waggons will be prefabricated, shinned broken down, and assembled in New Zealand. In his two weeks’ visit to Australia. Mr McAlpine said, he accumulated “a mass of ideas.” many of which would be put into operation in N°w Zealand in an attempt to improve the existing service and operations.

“I sne no need or occasion to reorganise the railways at all. but we an mike many minor improvements.’’ he said. Report to Parliament On Mondav, Mr McAlpine will 'ravel tn Wellington to start assembling material for a report, which he said he would make, to Parliament at his find opportunity.

Mr McAlpine saw in Australia the latest types of passenger coaches and rolling s + ock. “Although thev were r *uite imnressive they were not better than anvthing we have here,” he said “After some of the things I saw, I am eternally grateful that we have onlv one gauge. Over there, it is possible to have to change seven times to different gauges on a railway trip be+ween Brisbane and Perth.” New Zealand’s rail gauge was 3 f t 6in T n Australia. Gauges were 2ft, 2ft 6in. 3ft 6in. 4ft B’’n. and sft 3in. Mr McAlnine said that it was impossible most of the time to consign directlv for any distance, and everything had to be trans-shipped at the State borders.