DUPLICATION NEEDED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 March 1939, Page 6

DUPLICATION NEEDED.

MANAWATU RAILWAY LINE. GROWTH OF TRAFFIC. ‘•Traffic lias increased so much down tlie Manawatu. line that it it is not duplicated soon I do not know what will happen, or how they will get all the goods train through. During the depression years it was thought that the Palmerston North yards would meet requirements ior ever, but now conditions are so bad that the other day a goods train was kept waiting at Longburn ior three hours, and another at Feilding for one and a-half hours.” This statement was made to a “Standard” reporter by Mr J. H. Cooper, who recently retired from the service of the Railways Department after being stationed at this centre ior 36 years in the office of the inspector of permanent way. Mr Cooper added that the growth of the traffic since the department had taken over the competing motor freight services had outpaced the facilities available for handling it. Last of the staff of the old Welling-ton-Manawatn Railway Company who joined the Railways Department when the Government took over the line, Mr Cooper stated that over 30 years ago the rails used were all of the 531 b. standard, except for a few sections laid in 651 b. rails. To-day the standard rails are all 751 b., and 851 b. rails are now being laid on the Milson deviation. Most of the old Manawatu line _ from Palmerston North to Paekakariki had to be relaid when the Government took over, Mr Cooper said, and it had to be done quickly, on account of the rapid extension of traffic. Three large relaying gangs were working simultaneously for some years, and ballast was drawn from the pits at Terrace End and Otaki. Thirty years ago, when Foxton people did most of their shopping in Palmerston North, the port was busy, and there were no buses; two full trains ran daily between the two centres. This line has been closed to passenger traffic. Traffic generally had developed amazingly, and speeds on straight rail roads had been increased from 35 to 50 miles an hour with the use of heavier engines and heavier lines, Mr Cooper proceeded. Duplication of the line between Palmerston North and Wellington was very necessary. Part of this had been done, from Wellington to Tawa Flat, and the laying ol a double track on the grade between Plimmerton and Pnkerua Bay was well advanced. It should be comparatively easy to duplicate the remainder of the section, lie contended.