Railway speeds
Sir, — In reply to I. C. Leeming (July 7), I would say that the apparent low speeds of New Zealand railways passenger services are caused entirely by the severe grades and sharp curves which are common on the New Zealand system. Mr Leeming compares conditions in Britain 80 years ago with those in New Zealand today but he should realise that while in Britain a grade of 1 in 100 is considered severe, in New Zealand grades of 1 in 50 are common, that curves of 400 metre radius are considered sharp in Britain, whereas in New Zealand there are many curves of 150 metre radius. In addition, nearly all New Zealand main lines are single track which means that passenger trains lose time in crossing opposing goods trains. New Zealand track and rolling stock are first-class by world standards but trains are limited in performance by the mountainous nature of the country. — Yours, etc., J. B. C. TAYLOR, Senior Lecturer in me-hanical engineering University of Canterbury. July 9, 1979.
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Press, 11 July 1979, Page 18
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172Railway speeds Press, 11 July 1979, Page 18
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