MAIN TRUNK LINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 15

MAIN TRUNK LINE

WORK OF DUPLICATION

PROGRESS IN THE WAIKATO THREE MILES OF TRACK LAID [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday Steady progress has been made with the duplication of the .Main Trunk railway line between Ngarnawahia and Horotiu, and, with the double track already laid, this section is nearer to completion than any of the others. The double track extends for three miles, but the now track lias not been connected at the Horotiu end and only temporarily at Ngarnawahia, .Material for the extension of the existing signalling system is not yet 011 the spot, but it should not be long before this stretch of double track is ready for use, resulting in the more efficient handling of the output from the Horotiu freezing works as well as other rail freight. Earthwork formation in progress 011 the Ngaruawaliia-Taupiri section is likely to be held up until overhead bridge construction by the Public Works Department is completed. Plate-laying has not vet been started on this section.

Realigning Old Track Preparations for the laying of the bed for the second line have been completed on tlii! HUntly-Kiniihia section and are well in hand between Kimihia and Ohineuai, and Huntly and Taupiri. With the Mercer tunnel demolished and the resultant cutting finished, the task of realigning the old track and widening the curves in the locality, which will allow a maximum speed of 40 miles an hour, compared with .'SO as at present, is at present engaging the attention of 20 men. Four gangs on the Drury-Papaktira section are mainly engaged on earthwork format ion. Provision for a signalling system for the new line has to be made as the formation work proceeds. Little extra material is required for the new signals, use being made of the existing circuit. « Possibility of Delay There is intricate work ahead for those working on the job when tho connections tor both signal apparatus and the new track are put in, for train schedules must be maintained all the time. Draining, fencing and provision lor telegraph poles also demand attention as the new line advances. No bridge construction has yet been done, and it is possible that this branch of the duplication scheme may be held up lor lack of steel, supplies of which are coming through slowly because of the heavy overseas armament programme. Naturally with such an extensive undertaking dilliculties are met, and it is expected that the formation of a bed for the new track in the swamp country near Rangiriri and Mercer will not be as easy as it lias been in the fairly level and firm country through which the line mostly passes. It has been iound that such country requires a good deal of filling to lie done before a firm foundation can fie made.