SOUTH TRIM RAILWAY

Evening Star, Issue 22780, 15 October 1937, Page 8

SOUTH TRIM RAILWAY

REMARKABLE PROGRESS MADE nrECHANISATHIN FEATURE [Per United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, October 16. With mechanisation increasingly becoming a feature of the construction of the South Main Trunk Railway, the progress of the work after something less than 18 months from the time it recommenced, is generally well in accord with the schedule originally planned. So an ‘ Express ’ representative ascertained in the course of an inspection of the line. _ . . Knowledge of engineering technical! ties is not necessary for appreciation of the progress that has been made More than 450 men are engaged on the section, mostly working under contract, and using maehihery which makes pps sible a daily rate of achievement which not many years ago would have_ re quired the efforts of a substantially greater number. The camps, which are really small towns complete with many modern facilities, are to be seen at various points along the line from Wharanui to Kaikoura, and the general atmosphere is of purposeful activity which augurs well for the early completion of the great engineering scheme. Most of the work on the northern section is now concentrated south of the Clarence River in country presenting many difficulties, and calling for major cutting, tunnelling, and bridging operations. North of the Clarence River, however, . there is still certain work requiring completion before the line will be*ready for the final touches. The bridging work between Wharanu! and the Clarence is well in hand. The total length of the bridges in that section will he something over_ I,oooft. At Shades, where there is a fairly larre camp, the work of ballasting and forming tho permanent way has been practically completed. Sleepers and rails have been received in sufficient quantity to carry out the permanentway from Shades to the Clarence, a distance of about 12 miles and it is expected that a start will be made with that work at about the end of this month. , . ~ The Building of v tho Clarence bridge is going ahead well, though late delivery of the steel caused some delay. Three out of 13 cylinders have been sunk. This bridge is one of the majo>' works of the whole Hue. Including the cost of the bridge and approaches, it is estimated that there will be little left of £IOO,OOO by tho time it is completed. Beyond the Clarence, the line traverses sand dune country, where a good deal of formation work was completed previously This is now being cleared. Three miles beyond the Clarence, the line enters a terrain where heavy construction work is entailed, and : this locality, particularly, remarkable progress has been made. The ordinary construction has been practically completed for a distance of about 18 miles Suiveys are in hand with a view to placing the line as near as 'possible to the township of Kaikoura. At present it is considered that the station yard will be constructed approximately in the position of the present Kaikoura Show Grounds, within quarter of a mile of the northern end of the town.