Silver Star to be revamped

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 6

Silver Star to be revamped

PA Wellington The Railways’ prestige Silver Star service would be suspended from June 10 to allow the overnight express train between Wellington and Auckland to be converted from an all-sleeper to a partseater, part-sleeper, said the General Manager of Railways (Mr T. M. Hayward) last evening. But National Union of Railwaymen’s secretary (Mr D. C. Goodfellow) said the Silver Star would not be moved into the workshops for conversion. He could not say what other action the union might take to show its opposition to the move. Branches would discuss the matter later this month. From last evening the union would not allow rolling stoqk to be transferred between the North and South islands. The Railways want to convert the Silver Star to make it more economical. It now is said to lose more than $2O for every passenger it carries.

The present Northerner seater service between Auck-

land and Wellington will continue while the Silver Star is withdrawn. Sources said it was expected that the part-sea ter. part-sleeper Silver Star would be back in service before the end of the year. It was then hoped to into plement other proposals. The Northerner overnightl seater-sleeper train between Auckland and Wellington will be shifted to the WellingtonNapier run. Carriages on that service will then go to replace the converted railcar service between Picton and Christchurch. Those railcars will be transferred to Wellington to provide an improved commuter service to Paraparaumu. “One good-quality overnight train running seven days a week between Wellington and Auckland is all that is required,” said Mr Hayward.

“The reorganisation of overnight trains on the North Island Main Trunk will provide net savings approaching S2M per annum. It will also bring valuable savings in diesel fuel,” he said.