NEW RAIL CARS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 2

NEW RAIL CARS

GREAT EXPECTATIONS PAST PASSENGER TRIPS MEETING COM PETITION The first, of the, new rail cars for passenger service on the New Zealand railways will be completed about the end of May, according to a statement by the Minister of Railways. Hon. D. G. Sullivan. A second car would be available about three weeks later, and after preliminary tests the ears would probably be. employed on special services between Masterton and Wellington. "I have great hopes for the. future of the rail car," said Mr. Sullivan. "Actually seven cars are already on order and plans have been prepared for an additional number. It is also proposed to use them for a night passenger service between Wellington and New Plymouth and if they come up to expectations, as 1 have no doubt they will, their use will be extended to all lines. Thev should be of particular value for a fast passenger service between Auckland and Rotorua, for use in the Waikato and on the North Auckland lines and for numerous services in the South Island. Tt, is not intended to restrict their use to any one particular area."

CHEAPEN AND BETTER TRANSPORT The Minister said that with only two rail cars in active service there would be a total increased mileage of 200.CC0 train miles a year. That figure indicated the advantages of the new form of transport, in providing cheaper and more frequent services. Actually, in the rail cars hrst-class accommodation would be available at, second-class rates. "The new cars will provide much more comfortable transport," Mr. Sullivan continued. '''Similar cars have been operated in Queensland and We have had a, wealth of enthusiastic reports regarding (hern fioni that quarter. We have nlso been informed of the success of rail car operations in Italy and Germany and it appears to me that speculations that the new form of rail transport will rejuvenate railway travel generally have now asasumed an aspect of certainty. I have, ridden in the rail car which is being used by the general manager of the Railway Department, Mr. G. H. Mackley. In'design and equipment it is a. long way behind those now being built for passenger services, but, I. know that J would sooner ride in the general manager's rail car than in any motor-car.

.INFORMATION FROM OVERSEAS

"There is complete freedom from all the disabilities of road transport—the dust nuisance, intersections, competing traffic and the shocks and jolts from uneven road surfaces. 1. am sure the general public will not be slow to appreciate the advantages offered by rail car services. The new cars should enable the railways to hold their own with all competitive forms of transport. During the last few months we have tried to obtain the most reliable, information from overseas to discover whether the hopes of the Railway Department are justified. The evidence 1 have received convinces me that the most sanguine expectations of our own officers will be realised."

From other quarters it is gathered that the introduction of rail cars may result in a gradual change in the whole of railway policy. Fast and frequent trips will be feasible even over long distances and it may even he possible to eliminate the mixed passenger and goods train, which is generally recognised as an obstacle to efticient rail services.