LATE ARRIVAL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 103, 25 January 1939, Page 13

LATE ARRIVAL

Limited Express At Wellington

HEAVY TRAFFIC ON MAIN

TRUNK

After running to time for many weeks, the night Limited express from Auckland was 35 minutes late when it arrived at Wellington yesterday morning. According to the Railways Department the delay was caused by heavy passenger traffic on the Mam Trunk.

The General Manager of Railways, Mr. G. 11. Mackley, said the Limited had been keeping excellent time for months past. The delay yesterday was due to no special cause, but to heavy traffic after the holidays. Where traffic was heavy on a single line, said Mr. Mackley, it. was only reasonable to expect a slight delay. No transport service could run strictly to time in the circumstances. “Express trains,” he added, “have been keeping excellent time for months past, particularly during the Christmas rush period, notwithstanding the big increase til passenger traffic.” Because of the passengers offering, the Limited was increased in size and was a big train when it left Auckland on Monday night. It consisted of 12 cars and a van instead of the usual nine cars and a van. Opposing trains were also very heavy and the density of traffic on the Main Trunk caused crossing delays. “If any comment is needed it should bo on the excellent running of the Limited for months past.” said Mr. Mackley.