A new look

Press, 17 December 1982, Page 2

A new look

Mr Noel Green, works manager at the Addington railway workshops, relaxes in one of the new seats in the first of several refurbished carriages to go into service on the Christchurch to Picton line from Monday. Mr Green is not the only one to have sampled the new seating. A trial carriage with seats at different angles and covered in different fabrics has been used on the Picton service for the last few weeks. Passengers’ opinions were sought on the comfort of the different seats and the final seat design was based on those opinions. The replacement of the old vinyl-covered bench seating with fixed-angle, fabriccovered seating is only part of the refurbishing of the carriages, some of which have come from the Wellington suburban serice. ' Plastic moulding round the windows, fire resistant formica covering of the carriage interior, new lighting and heating systems, and carpet give the carriages a completely- new look. The toilets in the carriages have been altered to provide for

room for wheelchairs. The response from passengers had been most favourable, said the assistant works manager, Mr Bunny Worrall. The carpeted carriages were much quieter and the seats more comfortable. Refitting the carriages, including new bogie and wheel systems, will cost about $llO,OOO for each carriage. Each carriage will take between six weeks and three months to complete. The second of the carriages will be ready for use on February 12. The new seating is being made at the Addington Workshops. Seven hundred seats will be made and fitted into 14 carriages, all of which will be used on the Picton or West Coast lines initially. Refurbishing the carriages was all part of a plan to make the six-hour trip to Picton, and railway travel generally, more comfortable, said Mr Worrall. There was still room to improve facilities, especially those for mothers and young children. The carriages will replace the ’ green AC carriages, which will be withdrawn from service.