NEW RAIL CAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20432, 1 June 1936, Page 6

NEW RAIL CAR

SUCCESSFUL TRIAL RUN By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, May 30. A trial run of the first of the seven rail-cars to be used in the WellingtonPalmerston North service was carried out by the Railway Department to-day. The car, named Maahunui, was driven from Petone to Upper Hutt and back, t..e scheduled timetable being maintained throughout. Those privileged to make the trip were unanimous in their approval of the new means of transport. The rail-cars for use on the Palmerston North-Masterton-Wellington run are as big as the cars on the express train to Auckland. They are designed for a maximum speed of 60 miles an hour and carry 49 passengers, in addition to the driver and conductor. The power unit is a 130 h.p. petrol engine, with a torque converter driving on to a pair of rear wheels.

There is accommodation for a ton of luggage, and toilet facilities are equal to those on the best express trains. Airoperated brakes are provided and there are driver-controlled doors on each side with an emergency door at the rear.

The cars are electrically lighted and have artistic modern fittings. Heating is secured by hot air circulated by electric fans and special roof ventilation has been arranged. The windows are of half-drop type, set in aluminium frames. The seats, of tubular construction, are chromium-plated, of bucketed form, and fitted with comfortable upholstery and footbar rests. The flooring is rubber-covered. On the outside the colour scheme is the standard midland red of the depart, and the roof is finished in aluminium. The whole car is of steel construction, excepting the bodypanelling, which is of aluminium.

The rail-cars will cut the time of travelling between Wellington and Masterton from 3 hours 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes, and between Masterton and Palmerston North from 3 hours 45 minutes to two hours.