RAIL TRANSPORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21065, 17 June 1938, Page 8

RAIL TRANSPORT

ELECTRIC MULTIPLE UNIT By Telegraph—Pres. 1 - Association WELLINGTON. June 16 Tiie operation of the electric multiple-unit passenger transport on the Wellington-Johnsonville line will commence with the departure of the 6.35 am. train from Wellington on Monday, July 4. and the inaugural ceremony in connection with the introduction of the service will be held on Saturday. July 2. according to a statement by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, to-day. “The inauguration of multiple-unit electric traction on the WellingtonJohnsonville line, the first of its kind in New Zealand, is an important occasion for the people of the districts concerned,*’ said Mr Sullivan, “and will, I feci sure, be welcomed by them and by the local bodies and organisations which for many years have kept the transport needs of their districts prominently before the Government and the public. I feel confident that in the electric multiple-unit trains to be used on this line and in the timetable arranged, very welcome improvements in the passenger transport needs of the community resident in this area will be effected.” Arrangements are being made for the new standard rail car Aotea as well as the new electric locomotive for the Wellington-Paekakariki line and other types of railway passenger and power units to be on view at Wellington station for the opening ceremony.