TRIAL RUNS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19031, 3 June 1936, Page 14

TRIAL RUNS

NEW HAIL-CAR HIGH SPEED ATTAINED There is no doubt that the rail-car embodies all that is desirable in the way of comfortable, clean and fast travel, declares the Wellington Post. Highly successful trials were carried out last week-end of. the first of the department's new petrol-driven rail-car. Twice on Saturday the car was ran on the Hutt Valley line between Petone and Upper Hutt, whilst on Sunday a full complement of passengers was carried from Wellington to Palmerston North and back, via the Main Trunk. 60 MILEIS AN HOUR

Like a new motor ear, the engine of (he rail-car must first be run in before it can he 'expected to function at the. maximum speed, and "the trials were solely for this purpose. Although the line was'under repair and this necessitated speed restrict ions in five different places, express time was more than maintained on the run to iPahnerston North, while on the homeward journey the time taken by the limited express was reduced by eight minutes.

On several occasions, where thft track was suitable, the car reached a speed of up to 60 miles an hour without the engine being fully opened up. On one stretch the speed of 60 miles an hour was exceeded.

Besides being roomy, the rail-car is fitted with the latest comfort-giving devices, including, wireless. Throughout the journey to 'Upper Hutt and back, passengers'enjoyed music from Wellington and Christehurch, and also descriptions of some of the races at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting.

The seats, of tubular construction, are chromium-plated, of "bucket" form, and are fitted with comfortable leather upholstery. The toilet facilities are of a standard equal; to that provided on the best express trains. On each side of the front.of .thecar.there are driver-con-l rolled doors opera ted by air engines, and emergency doors are provided at the rear. MOTIVE POWER

The motive power is a six-cylinder engine combined with a "tonque converter" driving the pair of rear wheels. The converter does away with the necessity of a gear box and clutch, which makes for smooth running and a smooth start. At any speed there a remarkable absence of vibration, and even the "click-ety-clack". of .the .wheels, passing over joints in "the rails is .not so pronounced as in an ordinary carriage. The converter is used until a. speed of 15 or 20 miles an hour is attained, when the direct drive is used. The car is a six-wheeled type built for running in one direction only, with reverse gear for shunting en route and at terminals.

The engine is in the middle of the car, and this allows for even distribution of weight when on the Rimutaka incline. The. body has:been built to clear the centre rail at present in use on the incline. It will negotiate the Rimutaka incline at a speed of from 15 to 17 miles per hour. The Westinghouse braking system is used. CARS ON ORDER Passengers on the trip were much interested in the control of the vehicle, which is similar in some respects to: a tramcar. A large dashboard contains the self-starter, light switches, and a button: for shutting off the engine, and the various levers for setting the car in motion and for braking purposes surround the driver, who has a panoramic view through the wind-screen. Altogether seven cars will be used on the run through the Wairarapa > the remaining six now being on order. Five will be similar to the "Maahunui," and the other will be propelled by a Diesel engine. The Diesel car will be used for special purposes. In addition three machines are on order for the night service between Wellington and New Plymouth. These will be larger and will be equipped with two engines, with' a drive at each end. In these cars there will be seating accommodation for 56 people. Addressing those who had assisted in the construction of the rail-car; Mr.-G. fl. Mackley, general manager of railways, .paid a tribute to the diligence and ability with which the workmen had carried out their respective tasks. Throughout, he said, work had been done conscientiously, and the finished car was something both they and the department could be proud of. .. ~ (Continued from column 1.) for passenger ..haulage. The possibility of this mode of haulage has been carefully investigated by- the New South Wales railway authorities, with the result that several units are under construction in .the railway works at Redfern. These cars are considerably larger than the rail-motors in general use in the State. Of steel-frame construction, electrically welded throughout, the new Diesel cars will be 66ft. long, : 10ft. wide, and weigh approximately 60 tons.

Provision is being made for first and second-class passengers and' a buffet; The Diesel car will be capable of hauling three steel passenger trailers and one parcel van, making a total of five vehicles for ono unit. The total weight will be approximately 140 tons. ■-. k In view of the fine red dust nuisance experienced on some of the long "desert"' runs in New South Wales the new' trains will be air-conditioned throughout, an important departure. The windows of the train will 'be sealed and only conditioned air, from which the .dust has been extracted, will be admitted into the. carriages. . In adopting the Diesel system the New South Wales Railway Department anticipates a substantial saving in winning charges, whilst at the same time, providing vastly improved travelling facilities. The following figures were given : RUNNING OOSTS miles per gallon Petrol rail-motor (solo) ... 7' Petrol rail-motor (with trailer) 4.5 Diesel unit (approx:) '. 10 A comparative statement showing f!'.e fuel cost of the several types of haulage is as follows : ■ K . per mile Steam locomotive ... 3s Od Petrol rail-motor ... 3d Diesel (crude oil) ... ldt . It is anticipated that the fuel cost -rt the Diesel will work out at under one penny. /The adoption of rail-motors in New Zealand is being awaited 1 with considerable interest in Australian railway circle-.. It is believed that with the lighter build of vehicles of the smaller gauue ■■ » increased mileage to the gallon should no obtained in comparison with Australian, conditions. [ It is also interesting to note that t.ie New Zealand Railways Department h;'* included one Diesel car in its present building programme. (To be continued.)