RAILWAY SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 7

RAILWAY SERVICE

DUNEDIN TO OAMARU SHORTENING THE ROUTE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO TUNNELS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. The construction of two tunnels on the north line near Dunedin to shorten the railway distance between Dunedin and Christchurch was advocated by Dr D. G. McMillan (Govt., Dunedin West) during the discussion on the Public Works Estimates in the House of Representatives to-day. Dr McMillan suggested one tunnel through the hill between Sawyers Bay and Waitati and another between Evansdale and Merton, as well as the removal of two steep grades between there and Oamaru

"If this work were carried out," Dr McMillan said, "it would be possible for an engine going north to pull more than double the load that can be drawn over the 74 miles between Dunedin and Oamaru today, and the journey for the second express between Dunedin and Christchurch could be shortened by about 50 minutes. If these improvements were effected the second express could leave Dunedin about 12.45 instead of 11.35 a.m., thus enabling passengers to have lunch before leaving Dunedin. No stop for refreshments would be necessary at Palmerston and the stop at Oamaru would be for afternoon tea instead of lunch, thus halving the time. That saving, plus the reduced travelling time, would reduce the journey by about 50 minutes, but the chief merit of the proposal is the removal of the steep grades which would enormously increase the traction capacity of the railway engine."