GREATER SPEED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1924, Page 8

GREATER SPEED.

ON DOMINION RAILWAYS. COMMISSIONERS’ OPINIONS. Extracts from * the portion of the Railway Commissioners' report devote-a to management are : We are of opinion that all new, lines likely to become main lines should be laid with rails having a minimum oi 701 b section. • , . - '.-■The maximum speed varies from 25 miles per hour on a o-ehain curve to 50 miles' ’ per hour on the ssr aigh t. In his evidence the Gnief Engineer said chat the trains could ; run with safety at a higher rate of speed than was ■■the. case to-day, but he had not been approached in the matter either by tne Locomotive Department or the Traffic Department. In our opinion, the _ New Zealand track has . been exceedingly well J a id, and the standard of maintenance has been a high one. Such a high; standard naturally reflects,itself in the cost, and we think that in the case of branch lines, where the traffic is light, . flying gangs might lie usefully employed instead of having men permanently stationed there. t

We think consideration should be. given to the question of reducing the number of district engineers, of which there are nine. Three in each island should adequately meet the case, thus enabling higher salaries to be given without, increased costs. No cash reserves exist to meet relaying.' the work done year by year being relied upon to keep the lines up, to. standard'. Based upon th© life ox rails, there should be an average or at least 100 miles relaid each year. It is not possible to determine future costs, but on the present price of material a figure may be given of £3OOO per mile, a total of 100 miles representing £300,000 per annum. In th© event of a less mileage being 'relaid' in any one year, we are of■ opinion that a reserve, representing wastage, should be set up to provide for the future and to keep accounts unde- this head level year by year;

The signalling and safe-working appliances all over the line are up to modern standards, and are well maintained, reflecting credit on the Department. The policy of installing automatic signalling is, in our opinion, a sound one., in view of the- greatly increased facilities afforded to train operation, the relatively high wages, and the eight-hour day. V