Week-End Express Goods Trains On Marlborough Rim

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29001, 16 September 1959, Page 17

Week-End Express Goods Trains On Marlborough Rim

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Additional train services between Christchurch, Blenheim and Picton on Friday and Sunday nights after Labour weekend will expedite the transit of inter-island “rail-air” freight, give a better service for produce from Marlborough to Christchurch and ' other southern markets, and also provide a Week-end passenger service between Christchurch and Picton in both directions. The General Manager of Railways (Mr A. T. Gandell) said today that the present 8.40 pun. Christchurch - Picton express goods train and the corresponding 8.35 pm. train from Picton to Christchurch, which at present run four nights a week—Monday to Thursday—wilt also run on Friday nights from and including Friday, October 23. These trains will have passenger cars attached and stop for passengers at Rangiora, Waipara, Kaikoura, and Blenheim Only. Dusing the summer months, from November 1 until about the end of April, express goods trains would leave Christchurch and Picton at 5.30 apd 6 p.m. respectively on Sundays. They would

be allowed eight hours and a half for the full journey. “These new trains will provide a convenient week-end service for Christchurch residents wishing to visit the Sounds during the summer months, or Marlborough residents wishing to visit Christchurch,” said Mr Gandell. Mr Gandell said the Friday train would enable produce loaded at Blenheim late on the Friday to reach Christchurch in time for Saturday’s market. It would also connect with the South express at Christchurch and enable goods to be available for delivery in southern centres on Monday morning. The new Sunday trains would provide a welcome service for Marlborough growers, because it would take their produce to Christchurch in time for Monday’s market, which was the busiest of the week. This train would also enable ’freight flown across Cook Strait from the North Island on Saturdays to be ready for delivery in Christchurch a full 24 hours earlier than at present. Similar improvements would also be possbile for northbound “rail-air” freight at week-ends.