RAILCAR TOKOMARU

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 9 December 1938, Page 3

RAILCAR TOKOMARU

SATISFACTORY TRIAL TOTAL OF 1260 MILES COVERED GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENT WELLINGTON. 7th December. Complete satisfaction with the performance of the railcar Tokomaru on its trial run to Whangarei and back was expressed by the General Manager of Railways, Mr G. H. Mackley, who, with departmental officers, returned to Wellington with the car last night. Mr Mackley said a total of 1260 miles had been covered. The Tokomaru travelled from Frankton to Wellington in 12h 4m, and with stops excluded the actual running time was 8h 43m or an average speed for the 341 miles of over 39 miles an hour. Mr Mackley added that the tour of the railcar provided a thorough test as to its capacity to travel at consist- | ently high speeds, and as to its general all-round efficiency. Speeds as high as 75 miles an hour w* re reached over certain sections and 60 miles an hour was consistently maintained over fairly long stretches. Its climbing capacity was well illustrated by its run up the spiral between Raurimu and National Park, a distance of seven miles with a rise of 100 ft a mile being accomplished in 15fc minutes, compared with the limited expres’ scheduled time of 25 minutes. “Great public interest was taken In the car throughout its trial,” said Mr Mackley. “Many hundreds of people inspected it and all were satisfied with its comfortable seating and general arrangements.”