NEW RAIL CARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22378, 26 March 1936, Page 12

NEW RAIL CARS

GREAT EXPECTATIONS FAST PASSENGER TRIPS MEETING COMPETITION MINISTER OUTLINES PLANS [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL HEPOnTEIt] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The first of tho new rail cars for passenger service on the New Zealand railways will be completed about the end of May, according to a statement to-day by tho Minister of Railways. Hon. D. G. Sullivan. A second car would bo available about three weeks later and after preliminary tests the cars would probably bo employed 011 special services between Masterton and Wellington. "I have great hopes for the future of tho rail car," said Mr. Sullivan. ''Actually seven cars are already on order and plans have been prepared for an additional number. It is also proposed to use them for a night passenger service between Wellington and New Plymouth and if they come up to expectations, as I have no doubt they will, their use will be extended to all lines. Ihey should bo of particular value for a fast passenger service between Auckland and Rotorun, for use in the Waikato and on the North Auckland lines and for numerous services in the South Island. It is not intended to restrict their use to any one particular area." Cheaper and Better Transport The Minister said that with only two rail cars in active service there would bo a total increased mileage of 200,000 train miles a year. That figure indicated the advantages of the new form of transport in providing cheaper and more frequent services. Actually, in tho rail cars first-class accommodation would be available at second-class rates. "The new cars will provide much more comfortable transport," Mr. Sullivan continued. "Similar cars have been operated in Queensland and we have had a wealth of enthusiastic reports regarding them from that quarter. We have also been informed of tho success iof rail car operations in Italy and Germany and it appears to me that speculations that the new form of rail transport would rejuvenate railway travel generally have now assumed an aspect of certainty. I have ridden in the rail car which is being used by the general manager of the Railway Department, Mr. G. H. Mackley. In design and equipment it is a long way behind those now being built for passenger services, but I know that I would sooner ride in tho general manager's rail car than in any motor-car. Information From Overseas "There is complete freedom from all the disabilities of road transport—the dust nuisance, intersections, competing traffic and the shocks and jolts from uneven road surfaces. 1 am sure the general public will not be slow to appreciate the advantages offered by rail car services. The new cars should enable the railways to hold their own with all competitive forms of transport. During the last few months we have tried to obtain the most reliable information from overseas to discover whether the hopes of the Railway Department are justified. The evidence I have received convinces me that the most sanguine expectations of our own officers will be realised."

From other quarters it is gathered that tho introduction of rail cars may result in a gradual change in the whole of railway policy. Fast and frequent trips will be feasible even over long distances and it may even be possible to eliminate the mixed passenger and goods train, which is generally recognised a3 an obstacle to efficient rail services.

MODERNISING SERVICES THE UNCOMPLETED LINES POLICY FOR THE FUTURE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL BErORTEn] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Government's intention of bringing railway transport thoroughly up-to-date was referred to by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, to-day when discussing the Railways Amendment Bill. "This bill opens up bigger possibilities than appear on the surface," said Mr. Savage. " The bill deals with the whole question of railway construction and removes the barriers that exist between the Government and the carrying out of its polity. The Railways Board will not then be responsible. The responsibility will be with the Minister, and as soon as the bill is passed we will be ready for action, and the East Coast railway will be started as rapidly as we can get it going. Subsequently we will handle the South Island Main Trunk line, but we must begin at Gisborne." The Prime Minister said that the Minister of Railways had a modern outlook on transport, and believed that railway transport could be revolutionised. The modernising of the#railways would go hand in hand with the modernising of the present services. Questioned about tho South Island Main Trunk line, Mr. Savage said the Cabinet had not decided this question. The feeling among Government members was that this line should be completed, as the people in that area were as much entitled to modern forms of transport as the people in any other area. They had to have either the railway or some equally, economic form of transport.

Mr. Savage could not see any stop in the future of railway construction. Certain definite promises had been made to the electors, and they would bo kept. He pointed out that there was a sum of £6,000,000 invested in uncompleted railways in this country, and by the way in which the financial aspect had been handled in the past tho interest bill would go on for ever. "J.t is not our intention to legislate our opponents off the road," added Mr. Savage, "but to give a better service. The best form of transport must continue to live."