RAILWAY SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23103, 30 July 1938, Page 15

RAILWAY SERVICE

AUSTRALIA'S PROGRESS IDEAS FOR NEW ZEALAND VISIT OF GENERAL MANAGER "I still think the people of New Zealand have every reason to bo satisfied with their railway system; this is not only my view, but also that of a number of Australians I mot," said the general manager of railways, Mr. G. H. Maekloy, upon his return from Sydney by the Awatea yesterday. Mr. Maekloy visited the Commonwealth to attend the railway commissioners' conference of Australia and New Zealand. The conference, which was held in Sydney, takes place every two years and follows what is known as the officers' conference, attended by representatives of practically all branches of the different railway systems in Australia and Now Zealand. The. commissioners' conference discussed a wide variety of subjects, Mr. Maekloy said, and the data gathered would be of great valuo to New Zealand.

Mr Mackley said he had made an inspev-tion of the equipment used on the Victorian and New South Wales systems. What had impressed him most was the "Spirit of Progress," an express train on the Victorian section of the Melbourne-Sydney route, the buffet cars under construction, and the installation of modern train control equipment in Victoria. The new £'400.000 Wynyard station for suburban traffic in Sydney also greatlv impressed Mr. Mackley. The platforms were below the ground level and the administrative quarters above. The standard type of rail car in New Zealand, he considered, was superior to anything he had seen in Australia. There were some things in Australia that could be introduced into New Zealand to improve travelling comfort, and they would be recommended by him in a report to the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The nature of the improvements Mr. Mackley said he was unable to mention.

DIFFERENT GAUGES the state systems CHANGE A LONG WAY OFF ADJUSTABLE UNDERCARRIAGES "The complete unification of the railway gauges in Australia appears to be a long way off," said the general manager of railways in New Zealand, Mr. G. H. Mackley, upon his return to the Dominion yesterday.

Mr. Mackley said that at the conference of railway commissioners of Australia and New Zealand in Sydney, which he attended, the suitability of the lioock break-of-gauge device, or adjustable undercarriage, was considered and a decision reached. As this was a domestic matter for Australia, and as the decision, as far as he knew, had not been disclosed in the Commonwealth, Mr. Mackley said it would not be appropriate for him to comment. Mr. T. J. Hartigan, the New South Wales commissioner, Mr. Mackley added, considered the device fundainentallv unsound.

Mr. Mack ley said it was tho opinion of those associated with the problem that attention should be centred upon the unification of the gauges. This was a question that had been discussed for many years in Australia. It was a problem for the Federal and State Governments, and would involve enormous expenditure. ''So far 1 have no knowledge of a decision to proceed with the work," said Mr. Mackley. "Even when a decision has been reached, it will be a long time before complete unification can bo put into operation." The magnitude of the work involved was tremendous, he continued. New South Wales had a 4ft. B£in. gauge, the British standard; in Victoria there was a oft. 3in. gauge and 122 miles of 2ft. Gin.; South Australia had oft. 3in. and 3ft. Gin.; Queensland, 4ft. B£in. and 3ft. Gin.; Western Australia, 3ft. Gin.; and on the Federal Government lines there were both 4ft. 8-Hn. and 3ft. Gin. gauges."