Railway Enthusiasts’ Society

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31031, 11 April 1966, Page 8

Railway Enthusiasts’ Society

Sir, —The nostalgic en- , thusiasm of this society is understandable and perhaps laudable. Taxpayers, however, I will wish to know what . revenue will accrue from the , coming excursion to the West i Coast over the Easter holi- , days. The users should pay, I and the railways should show . a substantial profit. Perhaps , the party may provide the necessary skilled labour re- . quired drivers, firemen, ; signalmen, surfacemen and all [ others necessary to the safe running of trains. In case of . accident, which everyone will hope will not occur, what will be the liability of the Rail- ! ways Department? Perhaps the fares have been adequately stepped up to meet all possible emergencies, but the ; period covered is at a time when penal rates would normally apply to all labour employed.—Yours, etc., G.A.L. April 5, 1966. [The district traffic mana- ' ger of the Railways Department (Mr E. R. Leineweber) replies: “It is presumed that your correspondent refers to the tour to Westland arranged for the Railway Enthusiasts’ Society on Friday, April 8. The society hired the train on a cost-plus basis, and this covered all contingencies. All staffing arrangements in connexion with the running of the excursion train were arranged by the department The same conditions in connexion with the running of special excursion trains and rail-cars is a service available from the department at all times to any interested parties.”]