NEW STATION TRAFFIC

Evening Star, Issue 22682, 23 June 1937, Page 1

NEW STATION TRAFFIC

ORDER RESTORED AT WELLINGTON [Per United Press Association.] AVELLINGTON, June 22. In contrast with the confusion which developed in the railway services operating from the new AVellington station yesterday to-day’s time tables were run reasonably to schedule. To obviate the chief cause of yesterday’s dislocation, the difficulty of securing engines from the sheds up to time, the Railways Department temporarily increased the staff. The men of all sections of the service co-operated with enthusiasm to prevent a recurrence of the disruption, and despite tho handicap of. uncompleted yard facilities they were able to handle the traffic with little inconvenience to the travelling public. During the evening suburban rush a number of trains arrived or departed a few minutes late, but otherwise passengers had little to complain of. At present only one road is avallr able from the engine sheds to the lines giving access to the platforms, and tho staff did well to get the locomotives out in the manner they did. The main lines in and out of the station, two down and two up, are not yet in the designed positions, and could not have been moved before the Thorndon station was closed as one is to go right over the site of the Thomdoa platforms. A gang of 200 men is working on this job at present. As soon as possible the remainder of the yard will be laid out as the plans prescribe. The final lay-out provides for four roads from the engine depot to the station. Had these been ready yesterday the trouble could soon have been overtaken.

“ I should like to make it clear,” said the district traffic manager (Mr AV. Schieming) to-night, “ that the reasons ascribed in my statement concerning last night’s delay do not reflect upon the locomotive crews. It is true, as I stated, that the delay originated with an engine that should have been out of the shed earlier than it was, but this was by no means the fault of the locomotive men. This should be made quite clear in case of any misunderstanding by the public. The loco staff has worked willingly and extraordinarily well to bring about the changeover, and deserves every credit for the important part its members have played.”