STREAMLINING RAILWAYS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 8

STREAMLINING RAILWAYS

Effort To Meet Road Competition

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 13. Rail-cars are now being designed which, subject to approval, will replace the present Auck-land-Wellington railways passenger service, said the Minister of Railways (Mr Moohan), in Auckland today. Mr Moohan was enlarging on a statement he made in Parliament last year that a daylight rail-car service might be initiated between the two cities. Mr Moohan said the rail-cars were being specially designed for the Auckland-Wellington service and, if approved, would become part of a scheme to modernise and streamline the whole railways passenger system. The object of the scheme was to make the railways more attractive, particularly to private car owners. In an attempt to meet road competition, the railcars would be fast, exceptionally comfortable, and would reduce running time. They would form a real express service. He said it was not yet certain that the vehicles would, if initiated, carry mail as the present'service did. Another integral part of the railways streamlining scheme was the Cook Strait train and car ferry, for which tenders would be called in March. The ferry would enable railways’ rolling stock to be moved between the two islands as needed.