RAILWAY WORKS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13087, 22 October 1935, Page 4

RAILWAY WORKS.

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS. EASING OF STEEP GRADES. Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, Last Night. Extensive* railway works to be carried out by the Railways Board in conjunction with the Unemploy*„ent Board were announced tonight bv the Minister of Railways (Hon. G. W. Forbes). The most important of these, the easement of the steep grade on the Mnrton-Nejr Plymouth main line, is estimated to cost £365.000. The grade on the North Inland main trunk between Greatford and Kakariki will be eased at a cost of approximately £20,000. Many minor grades on tin* lines in both islands will also be improved, 110 railway hous- will have hot-water services installed and the Welliiigton-Johnsonville line will be electrified when suitable arrangements can be made. Air Forbes also stated that the Wellington station anil terminal yards now in fours* of construction would be ready for use early in 1937 anil that the work would Lo pushed ahead with this object in view. Air Forbes explained that these works, including the Turakina-Okoia easement work of considerable magnitude had been designed by the Railways Board in conjunction with an inter-departmental committee on public works as the board’s contribution to the programme for the relief of unemployment recently decided on. The plan would also absorb a large number of unemployed workers for a long period and the improvements to the railways service would constitute a work oi national importance. The grade easement on the* New Plymouth line would reduce considerably the cost of haulag> and maintenance and would als > make yjossible better and smoother transport lor gers. Other grades in both Blands would be improved with smaller beneficial results.