DAYLIGHT TRIPS BY RAILCAR

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 63, 7 December 1938, Page 12

DAYLIGHT TRIPS BY RAILCAR

Wellington-Auckland Journey

RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS SCHEME IN VIEW

'i’he running of fast daylight trips by railear on the Main Trunk line between Wellington and Auckland is a scheme which, the Railways Department has in view, according to the General .Manager of Railways, Mr. G. 11. Mackley, who returned to Wellington last night by the railear Tokomaru after a trial run to North Auckland. Mr. Mackley said, however, that he could give no idea as to when such a service might be inaugurated, nor had any decision been made as io what type of railcars would be used. It was expected that railcars would be able to do tbe 426-mile journey in 11 ItoiKts or approximately four hours faster than the summer daylight Limited’s schedule, Mr. Mackley said. Under such a timetable passengers would be able to breakfast at one terminal and dine at the other. Apart from the time factor, the railcar service would have other important advantages, Mr. Mackley added. Tbe daylight trip would enable passengers to see some of the most interesting sections of the route through which, at the present time, expresses only passed at night, except during the height of the holiday period. Several who had travelled with the Tokomaru that day were able to appreciate for the first time the beautiful bush, country in the centre of the North Island, and, incidentally, to gain some idea of the problems which had confronted railway engineers in such a rugged area. To overseas tourists the daylight trip would also be a great attraction, he said. For tourists arriving on brief visits to tlie Dominion by cruise ships from Australia, the railcar would afford an alternative route between Auckland and Wellington, and would, in addition, allow extra time for the visitors at the two terminals.

Though lie could give no indication as to the type of cars that would be used, Mr. Mackley said that the department was at present considering tenders for three-car railcar units seating 150 persons which, he believed, would be suitable for the Service, though for smaller parties cars of the Tokomaru type would be equally satisfactory.