RAILWAY TRAVEL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 119, 17 February 1928, Page 10

RAILWAY TRAVEL

Sir,—Do you know why the New Zealand railways are becoming increasingly unpopular with the travelling public? I don’t, but I am certainly getting a glimmering of the truth as a result of just three days’ stay in the North Island. I checked my luggage from Dunedin to Wellington, and arrived in the latter city.on Saturday morning with the intention of leaving for Masterton in the afternoon. Called for the checked pack, ages at three thirty only to find that the checked luggage office "closes at midday on Saturdays.” To make a long story short it cost me considerable trouble to get permission for an official to unlock the office and hand out. <’■ gear. Why can the Department not arrange for such luggage to be sent direct to Lambton or Thorndon Station and thus make it available at any hour? Then to-day I left Masterton by the train time-tabled for 3 p.m. It actually pulled out at three forty-five, but the railway officials confidently assured mo that it would make the connection at Woodville Jo catch the limited at Palmerston North. Arrived hero to find that my train had just pulled ent, but “another would be along in about two hours, and it quite often connects with the limited!” Cheerful prospect! Have you ever stopped at Woodville, Air. Editor? It is not. what our Tourist Department would describe as "one of the beauty spots of the Dominion.” And hero am I perched with my typewriter on one of the unupholstered seats which the Government so thoughtfully provides foi; occasions such as this with a two hours’ wait ahead of me

Well, as the classics have it, to get back to .our muttons: I could have had a service ear call at my hotel in Masferfon and deliver me in Palmerston North less than three hours later. As it is now the journey will occupy approxiiiiately seven hours with a maximum of discomfort thrown in for good measure, is it any wonder that our national railways are not patronised? For my part he choice will, in future, lie reluctant- . ,' ra , ve l by service car—and Ido not.think that I am alone in these sentiments—l am, etc.,

w , •>> t- , "TEAVELLA.” Woodville, February 13.

[The Railway Department has supplied the following statement with regard to the above letter:—

nrar handling of luggage checked to \\ ellington rests with the Harbour Board and any luggage not delivered at the ships side on arrival, is placed in the Harbour Board’s store. The Railway Department has no part in arranging the hours during which the store is open for business. It may be pointed out, however that passengers from the . outn Island who are continuing their journey by rail in the North Island, may check their luggage through to destination at the same charge as is made for checking to Wellinton. Had "Travella” taken advantage of this facility, Ins luggage would have been sent on to Masterton by the 7.50 a.m. train. The train due to leave Masterton at 2.55 p.m. was delayed on the 13th instant on account of wayside work en route being unusually heavy. This is an ordinary "mixed” train, and must of necessity undertake work at wavside stations. which would not be handled by a faster passenger train. The train is due t 0 connect with the train leaving Woodville for Palmerston North at 6.20 a.m., aud the reason, for the failure to connect on this occasion is being enquired into. As regards the accommodation provided at Woodville station, this is considered to reasonably meet the requirements of the traffic at that station.]