MAIN TRUNK EXPRESSES
The travelling public will appreciate the acceleration of Main Trunk express trains, made possible by the opening of the Tawa Flat deviation near Wellington, and operating from June 20. The time saved on the ordinary Auckland - Wellington express will be no less than 42 minutes, and on the limited 26 minutes, representing substantial improvements. Smaller gains will also be made on the northward journey. At the same time better connections are to be provided as between New Plymouth and the Main Trunk at Taumarunui. The enhanced public service can be regarded as the first return on the provision of up-to-date facilities for handling traffic at the Wellington end. Further improvements should be possible when the electrification of the Wellington-Paekakariki section is completed. In measuring up these new possibilities, the Railways Department would do well to consider the reinstatement of the daylight express. It offers valuable facilities for intermediate traffic, especially in the centre of the North Island, where passengers are otherwise dependent on night trains at awkward hours for either arrival or departure. From time to time, moreover, local and overseas tourists express regret that trains traverse one of the finest scenic routes in New Zealand, or in the whole world, in the hours of darkness. As for through traffic, a certain proportion of passengers prefer day to night travelling. This class of traffic could be largely increased if the express left Auckland earlier than 8 a.m. so as to connect with the South Island ferry steamers. That would mean speeding up the express by about an hour and postponing sailings from Wellington for an equal period. But such a through connection would be worth working for, as it would save inter-island passengers the existing necessity of wasting a whole day in Wellington. Theso points in favour of the daylight express should have the careful study of the Railways Department.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 12
Word Count
313
MAIN TRUNK EXPRESSES
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 12
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