ELECTRIC RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 178, 31 July 1940, Page 4

ELECTRIC RAILWAY

WELLINGTON-PAEKAKARIKI SECTION CHANGE-OVER NEARING COMPLETION WELLINGTON, July 20. Apart from a few freight services traffic on the Wellington-Paekakariki section of the Main Trunk is now being hauled by the new “Ed" class electric engines, eight of which have been placed in commission in Wellington. It is not yet known when full electric operation will be introduced, but it is understood that tests have been very satisfactory. The new system was permanently extended to the outward Limited express last week, and a day or so later the number of electric trains was substantially increased. At the week-end all Sunday trains between Wellington and Paekakariki, including the express from Auckland, were hauled by the new engines. All long-distance express trains on the Pa'ekakariki line are now operated by electric traction. Yesterday, the southbound Limited was brought from Paekakariki to Wellington by an electric engine for the first time, and both the express to New Plymouth at 10.15 a.m., and the Wellington-Auckland

mail at 3 p.m., w ere hauled by electric power. The new engines accelerate quickly and glide smoothly out of the station. In contrast to the departure of a steam train there is a marked absence of smoke and noise, apart from the murmur of moving wheels or the grinding of flanges. The electric engines are equipped with floras similar to those used on the multiple-units between Wellington and Johnsonville, and are painted Midland red, standard colour for passenger rolling stock on the New Zealand Railways. The distance between Wellington and Paekakariki is 24 miles and a-half, : and the section is the longest electrified railway in New Zealand. U is also the most modern, and with its system > of centralised traffic control and auto- ’ matic signalling, is said to reach a standard of operating efficiency com- < parable with any railroad overseas. ■ Track duplication and grade easement ’ were also carried out on portions of • the line between Plimmerton and 1 Paekakariki, and the work was comi pleted in time for the change-over ifrom steam to electricity. ’' The duplication scheme necessitated the construction of island platforms i and modern station buildings at Plim- • merton and Pukerua Bay. When this J building programme was being carried i out, provision was made for the future - and the department decided to provide i j up-to-date facilities for the increase in > passenger traffic expected to follow' [ j the inauguration of electric traction.