RECORD TRIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23213, 6 December 1938, Page 10

RECORD TRIP

SPEED OF EAILCAR JOURNEY TO HAMILTON NEARLY 44MILES AN HOUR OUTING FOR THE COUNCIL Record time for the 85-mile journey between Auckland and Hamilton was made by the railcar Tokomaru when she travelled south yesterday afternoon on the first stage of her return trip to Wellington. Including stops, the distance was covered in 1 hour 55 minutes, or an average of nearly 44 miles an hour. Because of duplication works at various places along the line the Tokomaru had to be brought down to a moderate speed. For the nine miles between Huntly and Ngaruawahia it travelled on the duplicated section, which, owing to its recent construction, necessitated a slow speed all the way. Elsewhere, particularly between Ngaruawahia and Frankton, the Tokomaru attained speeds ranging between 60 and 70 miles an hour. The Mayor of Hamilton, Mr. H. L>. Caro, Mr. C. A. Barrell, M.P., members of the Borough Council and other representative citizens were taken in the railcar from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and back last night. The car will leave Hamilton at 9 a.m. to-day for Wellington, and it is expected to reach there at 7.20 p.m. A party of about 30 people, guests of the Railway Department, had a demonstration trip from Auckland to Papakura and back in the railcar yesterday morning. In addition to senior officers of the department, the party included representatives of the Auckland Harbour Board, the Auckland Education Board and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The return journey of 40 miles, including a brief stop at Papakura, was completed in less than an hour.