SPEEDING UP TRAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20405, 6 November 1929, Page 14

SPEEDING UP TRAINS.

THE NORTHERN EXPRESSES.

NEW TIME-TABLE PREPARED.

OMISSION OF 13 STOPS. The Railway Department has prepared a new timo-tablo for tho Auckland-Whangarci-Opna express, which will effect a saving of 30 minutes ovor tho total journey. This improvement has boon brought about as a result of agitation in tho North and representations made by tho Auckland Chamber of "Commerce. Tho new time-table will como into forco on Monday, Decomber 9. Tho saving in time will bo effectod by eliminating 13 stops betweon Auckland and Opua. Tho stations to bo cut out of the time-table aro Aburoa, Hoteo, Wayby, To Huna, Ranganui, Haurau, Maeretu, \Waikiokio, Oalcleigh, Akerama, Opahi, I-'nkapu, and To Ake Ake. Tho first five stations aro stopping-places only threo times a week; tho Remainder aro daily stops.

It. has boon found impossible to save time on the journey betweon Auckland and Helensvillo; time will bo mado up instead liowcen Helensvillo and Opua. The express leaving Auckland at 8.40 a.m. will retain that time of departure, but will reach Optja at 5.20 p.m. instead of 5.50 p.m. It will depart from Helensvillo at 10.21 a.m., Wellsford 11.45 a.m., Maungaturoto 12.56 p.m. (staying 24 minutes for lunch), Paparoa 1.7 p.m., Waiotira 1.51 p.m., and will arrive at Whangarei at 2.43 p»m. instead of 2.58 p.m. Departure will bo taken from Whangarei at 2.53 p.m., instead of 3.8 p.m., Hikurangi 3.30 p.m., Otiria will be reached at 4.37 p.m., and left at 4.47 p.m., tho train will leuvo Kawakawa at 5 p.m., and roach Opua at 5.20 p.m. On tho reverse trip the express will leave Opua at 9.40 a.m., instead of 9.10 a.m,, this being a convenience to Northern travellers. Departure will bo taken from Kawakawa at 10.2 a.m., Otiria 10.23 a.m., Hikurangi 11.36 a.m., arriving at Whangarei at 12.5 p.m., instead of 11.48 a.m. Departure will bo taken from Whangarei at 12.15 p.m., instead of 11.58 a.m., Waiotira 1.8 p.m., Paparoa 1.47 p.m., Maungaturoto 2.19 p.m. (staying 22 minutes for lunch), Wellsford 3.8 p.m., Ilelensville 4.23 p.m. (after a stop of five minutes),' and Auckland will be reached at 6.12 jp.m., as at present. Tho alterations to tho expresses entail also alterations to the connecting trains at Waiotira and Otiria junctions. Tho earty morning train from Okaihau to Otiria, for instance, will leave 29 minutes later than at present, and tho train from Otiria to Okaihau will leave 27 minutes earlier.