NO DIFFICULTIES IN WAY OF ELECTRIFYING MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 November 1950, Page 4

NO DIFFICULTIES IN WAY OF ELECTRIFYING MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— There should be no difficulties in electrifying the Main Trunk railway line from Auckland to Wellington.

This is the opinion of the two Swedish experts, Mr L. T. Thelander and Mr E. R. Ednius, who are to advise the Government on railway electrification. They spent most of today in Auckland riding over the suburban lines in the railcar Tokomaru and inspecting the proposed route of the city underground railway. Electrification saved duplication of lines and overcame the ever increasing spiral of railway work f ; costs, they said. It was especially suitable for heavy grades, such as are found on the Main Trunk. The advantages that Sweden had gained from railway electrification would also apply in New Zealand. Those advantages would be progressively increased as the work of electrification expanded. They said that it was cheaper to electrify existing lines than to try to expand steam services. Electrification also made for a great saving in time. There would also be a saving in manpower. For example, one multiple unit electric train needed only one crew compared with two crews on a double-banked steam train required to carry the same load. The time saving also meant economy in man hours. In their report to the Government particular mention will be made of the A. C. and D. C. electric systems. The Swedish railways use the A. C. system. „