MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 October 1947, Page 4

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

BAD TRACK, DIRTY ENGINES, ERRATIC TIMETABLES PROBLEMS DUE TO STAFF AMI MATERIAL SHORTAGES. U’.A.) Pari’ament Bldgs., Oct. 15. During debate on the estimates in the House of Representatives to-day, hen the vote for railways was under consideration, Mr. W. S. Goosman <Onp., Piakoi criticised the condition of the Main Trunk track, which he said had deteriorated, and. in places v.a.s like "a road with potholes." Tne. edition of the engines was ‘filthy dirty," and they looked as if '.l'cy Ind ; >i been cleaned for years. A few years ago it was almost; possible to set a watch by the arrival of no Limited at Wellington, nut now th*: train was seldom on time. The Minutci o? Railways (Mr. Semple), replying, said the raii'Anys had far greater dillicultics to nee today than ever before. Lack ol staff was a big problem. It might be true that engines had a neglected appearance, but this was due to snort age of 2uo men in that particular division The limited was now a heavier train than previously, and as there was very little bituinenous coal available trains could not travel so fast. and. there! ore. schedules could not a’wtns be maintained. Delayed maintenance because ot the war had resulted in deterioration of the tracks. Together with the di Hi-

cully of procuring supplies of rails ' and hardwood, the department seriously was handicapped by coal shortages No! a ton of coal could be obtained from Australia or South Africa and imports from the United States at £lO a ton. had been ended beuair.e of the dollar crisis.