RAILWAY TRANSPORT

Southland Times, Issue 19939, 4 August 1926, Page 5

RAILWAY TRANSPORT

THE RECENT CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT WORK ACCOMPLISHED. (From Our Special Reporter.) Wellington, Aug. 2. Some important decisions were arrived at at the recent Railway Transportation Conference. With reference to motor competition the conference approved of a thorough investigation of the position with a view to the department placing vehicles on the road in suitable localities to combat private enterprise. Among the localities suggested were: Napier-Hastings, Wellington-Khan-dallah, Wellington-Lower Hutt, AucklandPapatoetoe, Christchurch-Southbridge, Christ-church-Rangiora and Oamaru-Ngapara. The provision of a night light in each compartment of cars on North Island Main Trunk trains in order to facilitate the exit and entrance of passengers was recommended, the light to be adjacent to the emergency brake lever now being fitted to Main Trunk cars. The principle of using only second class accommodation with chair seats on secondary branch lines was affirmed. It was recommended that in respect to suburban trains each case be treated on its merits having regard to desirability and economy. Shed and yard costs, it was urged, could be reduced by the installation of up-to-date mechanical appliances and devices at a number of stations. Provision was being made at the Auckland new goods shed for electrically operated traversing cranes, but mechanical appliances for handling goods and wagons Were necessary at Christchurch (goods) Timaru, New Plymouth, Dunedin, Wanganui, Greymouth, Wellington, Invercargill (yard), Palmerston North and Frankton. The electric overhead cranes in the Invercargill goods shed and in the “D” shed at Christchurch have been found to be very successful and economical.