EXCURSION TO KOTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19497, 29 November 1926, Page 8

EXCURSION TO KOTORUA.

THE FIRST SUNDAY TRAIN.

SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

[BY TEI.EGE.AVH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ROTORUA. Sunday.

The first Sunday excursion train from Hamilton to Rotorua proved a great success. Notwithstanding that rain had fallen all night at Hamilton and was still falling when the train left for Rotorua there were 120 passengers from Hamilton. Before the train arrived at Rotorua there were 500 and GOO passengers. The train was composed of 14 carriages and was drawn by two engines of the heavy type. As the train travelled south the weather improved. It is stated by the officials that had the weather been favourable the traffic would have been difficult to handle. This train was an experiment and the Railway Department will no doubt be encouraged to arrange for more excursions of this nature. Many of the visitors were golfers Crowds visited Whakarevvarewa and trips were made to the fairy spring and other sights. Launches were also run on the Waikato. The train arrived in Rotorua at 10.30 a.m. and left on tlje return journey at 4.50 p.m. VISIT TO WAITOMO. OVER 200 PASSENGERS. Over 250 passengers left Auckland tor Waitomo yesterday morning on the first of the series of special excursion trains which the Railway Department propose running during the summer months. Although the train arrived in Auckland last evening 43 minutes later than schedule time, the trip can be regarded as a success: The motor-bus service from Hangatiki to the cava? accommodated al the passengers, who, favoured by "J' 8 weather, spent a most enjoyable day. I-i® delay on the return journey was due to engine trouble.