NEW RAIL-CARS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 190, 10 May 1938, Page 13

NEW RAIL-CARS

Lancashire Company’s Tender Accepted THREE-CAR UNITS ALSO TO BE OBTAINED By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May 9. In pursuance of the Government’s policy to develop the rail-car method 01 passenger transport, the tender of tbe Vulcan Foundry Company, Ltd., Lancashire, had been accepted for the supply of 10 complete standard railcars, a statement to this effect was made by the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan. “These cars,” said Mr. Sullivan, “will be Diesel-engined with mechanical transmission of an improved type. I. lie delivery of the first car under tender will be made in New Zealand in 14 months after the receipt of the order, with one car fortnightly until the order is completed.” Asked if it were not possible to construct the rail-cars in New Zealand, the Minister said that the position had been thoroughly examined and it. was found to be altogether impracticable. “There are now six of these cars under construction at the Hutt railway workshops,” he said, “and immediately they are completed the rate of output will increase when additional facilities are available at both the Hutt and Addington workshops. In connection with this order,” said the Minister, “I may say that, owing to the delay in the deliveries of steel from Britain the rolling stock and building programme of the department has not been advanced sufficiently to meet the needs of traffic development and of that expansion of modern passenger service and facilities on railways which forms an important part of the Government's transport policy. To make up leeway this overseas order has been placed.” In addition to the rail-cars now on order, the Minister added, it had been decided to call for tenders for the supply of 10 three-car Diesel-engined train units, which would each provide seating accommodation for about 150 passengers.