NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 125, 28 May 1936, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION FAST TIMES IMPOSSIBLE [ Ptr Press Association J WELLINGTON. May 27. In a Press interview to-day th® Minister of Railways sail hi view of recent criticism it was only fair to the people of New Zealand as owners of the railways to know whether it was justified. He was referring to the matter of speeds as compare 1 with train speeds in other countries. He had asked the general manager for sume relevant particulars. These are contained in a lengthy statement which stts out the whole position of the engines, load, and line. Jt shows clearly how New Zealand, with its mountainous topography, makes fast time impossible by reason of curves and gradients. To make, say, the North Island Main J’runk capable of being a Flying Scotsman would cost many millions of pounds and entail tunnelling on a scale never yet undertaken anywhere in the wor'd In addition to this is the fact of New Zealand’s small population compared with lhe huge population of Britain and contiguous Europe, Air. Macklcy says the statement, does not mean that nothing further in the way of speed can be done in New Zealand, but, is only intended to show thiit train performance in the matter of speed in New Zealand is as good for express trains as it is possible to have with the existing tracks an I with trainof the present weight. He goes on to -peak of the possibilities of the rail car ami -ays that on many suitable routes rail car units may bp expected not only to affect very substantial savings in time, but also to piovide verv clean and comfortable transport in conformity with most modern standard B .