THE ROYAL TRAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1927, Page 1

THE ROYAL TRAIN

The three trains which will be used on the tour of the Duke and Duchess of York in the South Island are now ready for the road. Before being used the Royal train itself will be sent on a fast run to make sure that everything is in order. The three trains will be painted Midland red. The Division Superintendent, Mr R. S. Kent, and the Divisional Locomotive Engineer, Mr L. TV. Robertson. have just completed a tour of the southern portion oi the island, where they have made the final arrangements for stopping places, watering the engines and protection of the lines. The trains will leave Christchurch on .March 9th. and will go to Rooftop, where they will ibe joined by the Royal party. The engine Rasschendacle null he used on the Royal train ■ from Arthur’s Pass to Dunedin and from Kingston to Bluff. On the AYest Coast engines of a lighter type will he used. Two slightly lighter engines will ho used on the run from Dunedin to Cromwell, while another engine will assist the Passchendaele on the run from Oamnru to Dunedin. There are many little details which have to he attended to by the railway authorities in connection with Elio Royal train. Each station has to be measured so that a mark can be made for the. engine to pull up at so that the Royal ear will he opposite the carpet on. which the Duke and Duchess will aliedit.

Another matter that has caused much worry is the turning of the trains tit Hokitika. Three engines have to he watered there, and the whole of the trains have to he turned so that the carriages are in their correct order. This will have to he done in an hour, and will require some good staff work to carrv it out.

The length of the Royal train when it. is on tin* main lines will he 51.3 ft. 2in. When on the Otago Central line, where two engines will he used, it will he slightly longer. On the train which will he used by tbe Duke and Duchess, the Royal car will run last, as it has been equipped with an observation platform. Next to it will In* the Royal dining ear, then the ki(<-hen and stores ear, the Ariitisterial car. and three day ears and a staff sleeping ear for the train attendants. with the guard’s van next to the engine.

The pilot train will have three day cars for police next to the engine, a dining and stores ear. ji van for the Royal luggage and the guard’s van at the rear. The emergency train which will run behind the Royal train will have three day cars for > the staff of mechanics, telegraphists and linesmen who will he carried and for the police who will he left behind at each station to see to the entertainment of the Duke and Duchess. Then t here will be a dining and stores ear and a guard's van.

I lie engine cr*-ws have now been srlected. They are comprised of men who are well up in the service and who know well fho routes that they v ill cover.

On the whole railway trip from In. unguium Junction, to Bluff, the Royal train will he accompanied by the Divisional Superintendent and district officers will accompany the train while it got-i through their districts.