RAILWAY WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 13

RAILWAY WORKS

AUCKLAND PROGRESS main line duplication NEW SIGNAL SYSTEMS IMPROVING NORTH ROUTE Satisfaction with the progress made 111 track duplication and the installation of new signalling systems in the Auckland district was expressed on Saturday by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan.

A further five miles of double track, extending from Huntly to Ohinewai, ■was expected to be in use by about the end of June, the Minister said. The new station building and remodelled yard at Huntly should be ready at the same time, and double-line working of both passenger and goods trains would bo commenced.

Tho'now section would extend the duplication to a total of 2o miles northward from Frankton, leaving 40 miles to be completed between Ohinewai and Papakura. Rails would next be laid on the section of 11 miles between Papakura and Pukekolie.

About 300 Men Employed

Except in the immediate vicinity of station yards and bridge-ends, the earthwork had been completed to within a mile of Pukekolie.

Good progress had been made with earthwork between Pukekohe and Ohinewai, excluding the. swamp area between Whangamarino and Te Kauwhata, which had not yet been commenced. Bridgework was in hand over the whole distance. The total number of men employed was about 300. A new signal system of the most modern design would be brought into use at Huntly when the enlarged yard was put into full operation. The first change-over had already been made. Important Grade Easements

The Minister also referred to the imSDrtant grade easement works on the orth Auckland line between Morningside and Mount Albert and between New Lynn and the 'Waitakero tunnel. At present, he said, 200 men wero engaged on earthwork. The first section of the scheme to bo completed, between New Lynn and Glen Eden, would eliminate two level crossings and reduce the grade from one in 35 to one in 60. On the subject of signalling, Mr. Sullivan said that an automatic system would be in operation this month between Stratford and Tangarakau, a distance of 51 miles, and would be completed over the remaining 39 miles to Okahukura by July.