RAILWAY PLANS FOR AUCKLAND

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28179, 18 January 1957, Page 7

RAILWAY PLANS FOR AUCKLAND

Improved Services Envisaged

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. January 17. The intention of the Railways Commission to make an early report to the Government on the over-all plan for railways development and improved freight services in the Auckland metropolitan area was announced' by the General Manager of Railways (Mr A. T. Gandell) in Auckland. This foreshadowed an early decision on the completion of the Westfield marshalling yards and completing plans for constructing the Southdown-Avondale rail link.

Other developments which Mr Gandell said were under consideration was further duplication of the main trunk line on a priority basis, improved rail-car services to Northland and Hamilton, and improved access to Tauranga harbour from the Waikato and Rotorua-Taupo areas. Mr Gandell said the department intended running rail-cars from Auckland to Rotorua and Taneatua. He could not say when the services would begin. Limited Express Modern de luxe light-weight coaches for the Limited Express, first and second-class sleepers, buffet meals and a hostess service were some of the suggestions which Mr J. G. Whetton, retiring District Traffic Manager of Railways at Auckland, made at a farewell arranged for him today.

He said that there had been no substantial improvement in the service between Auckland and Wellington in the last 20 years from the point of view of the public or to improve staff morale. He envisaged a Limited Express hauled by diesel engines with first and second-class sleeper compartments and a buffet car in which light refreshments Would be served. This could involve reviving the licence under which it was possible to sell light wines for daylight travel.