RAIL-CAR TENDERS CLOSE TODAY

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32219, 11 February 1970, Page 28

RAIL-CAR TENDERS CLOSE TODAY

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 10.

Tenders close tomorrow for the three new, high-class airconditioned rail-cars for the main trunk “Blue Streak” service.

Each unit, consisting of two 75ft articulated coaches, will have a cruising speed of 70 m.p.h., using either gas-turbine or diesel-electric motive power.

; These coaches will be [permanently coupled to give a total length of 155 ft—4Bft longer than the present cars. Accommodation will be provided Ifor 100 passengers in (seats of the aircraft (reclining type.

Specifications for the world ] wide tenders invited by the] Railways Department several] weeks ago call for an exter-j lor of stainless steel, aluminium alloy or corrosion—re-1 dstant carbon steel, a capa- • city to travel at 70 m.p h on suitable sections of track for which the present speed limit is 60 m.p.h for rail-cars and >5 m.p h. for express trains l When announcing towards] the end of last year,that tenters would close on February! 11. the General Manager of; Railways (Mr Ivan Thomas).] said that the “best and latest' equipment for the service was ( wanted “ Noise Reduced Full air-conditioning will be i feature of the new cars Another new feature will >e effective sound-proofing from external track, engine ind wind noise. Doubleglazed windows each about 3ft in length will be fitted with Venetian blinds and curtains. Floors will be carpeted and the Railways has specified hat the carpets be of wool

and of New Zealand manufacture. Those firms tendering to build the three cars are fr.ee to submit offers of such power and transmission as they would recommend to meet performance requirements, but the specifications have listed several preferences. Reliable Service According to Mr Thomas, the department’s strongest • preferences are for a gasturbine or a diesel engine driving an alternator-rectifier

set to supply power to electric traction motors mounted on either tinderframes, bogies or axles. The specifications also stipulate that the tenderers will be required to show that the power units they have to offer have been proved reliable in service on overseas railways Power for fluorescent lighting, air-conditioning, heating, charging of batteries and a public address system will be provided from an auxiliary diesel engine and alternator Entrance Vestibules Two main entrance vesti bules. one in each coach, will be provided on each rail-car: also three toilet rooms, two hostess compartments, a space for luggage and an office for the guard. The specifications, as pre pared by the department, are expected to attract an inter esting range of offers from manufacturers in different parts of the world. A railway spokesman said today that an announcement as to the number of tenders received should be made with in the next few days.

Race Relations Seminar.— The New Zealand Race Rela tions Council has asked the Wellington Association for Racial Equality to continue arrangements for an interna tional seminar on race rela tions to be sponsored by the council and to be held in Wellington, possibly in May of this year, the association s president (Mr J. P Delahunty) said in Wellington yesterday.—(P.A.).