MOTOR TRAINS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 149, 18 March 1924, Page 8

MOTOR TRAINS

PROVED SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA WIDE USE ON COUNTRY LINES The Minister of Railways, in deciding io instal motor trains in New Zealand, has been guided by the success which they have achieved in Australia, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales.

The Farmers’ and Settlers’ Association of New South Wales is using every endeavour to have motor trains placed on all country branch lines. Tho present “mixed” trains, which averaged not more than 12 miles an hour, showed a loss on running. On the other hand, motor trains, capable of a speed of 40 miles an hour, with a full complement of 172 passengers, can bo acquired for £l9OO, and then can show a substantial profit. _ The running cost of this type of train is reported as being ridiculously small. Labour expenses are reduced, as a crew of two men, and in some cases one man, suffice for a train. Tho motors adopted are very powerful, and'are capable of working' on difficult grades and curves. The carriages, which are comfortable and light, in construction, will each hold 50 passengers. Five more of these trains have been ordered for the Riverina. _ It is the intention of the Victorian Railway Commissioners to construct six more motor trains, for use on country and outer suburban lines. In the latter case they will connect with tlio electric trains running to Melbourne. Speaking of the seven motor trains now in use _in Victoria; the chairman of the Railway Commissioners, Mr. Clapp, said that three hours had been cut off the time-table on one country lino in the Murray Valley. Tho Canterbury branch lines are considered to offer a, splendid field for the use of motor trains, and it is likely that they will bo tried out there, followed by a general installation on some of the very numerous branch lines of the South Island. Instances in the North Island, such as the Palmerston North —Foxton line, also offei opportunities for tho new type of train.