RAIL-CAR TRIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23202, 23 November 1938, Page 10

RAIL-CAR TRIAL

NEW TYPE OF VEHICLE TARANAKI SERVICE BEGINNING NEXT YEAR [BY TELEGRAPH —OTVN CORRESPONDENT] PALMERSTON NORTH. Tuesday An event of considerable interest to the travelling public was the arrival i n Palmerston North yesterday of the new rail-car Aotea, which is undertaking a trial trip to New Plymouth from Wellington. It is one of a class that will begin a night service to New Plymouth early in the new year. The General Manager of Railways, Mr. G H. Mackley, accompanied by officials of the department, is travelling in the car. Six rail-cars cf the same design and proportions as the Aotea are beiag constructed at the Hutt railway workshops, two of which will take up tho running to New Plymouth, while another will be held in readiness to relieve any congestion that might occur. Originally they had been intended for use to Wairoa, but floods prevented tho commencement of tho service. Improved acceleration and deceleration are features of the new cars while they are capable of a speed of 70 miles an hour, although it is not intended to travel at such a rate. .Four houris vrill be saved on the journey to New Plymouth from Wellington by the use of the new vehicles, as a number of stopping places will be eliminated, the distance being covered in about seven hours, as against 11 with steam trains. With a length of 50ft, the cars have an interior that is modern and extremely attractive, in which 54 passengers can be accommodated with ease. If necessary a trailer can be attached. For trial purposes, special ballast has been placed in the seats to bring the total weight to 33 tons which is what it is expected will be tho total load during ordinary runs. Leaving Wellington at 1.5 p.m., the car arrived in Palmerston North at 3.7 p.m., taking two hours two minutes for the distance usually covered by exEresses in a little over two and a-half ours. The rail-car is gaining in in other parts of the world, particularly in European countries. There are £OO in France, 600 in Germany, and about 500 in South America, while iu Britain, where the trend toward them has not yet properly developed, thero are over 40.