OTIRA TUNNEL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 5

OTIRA TUNNEL.

TO BE IX USE WITHIN TIT REF) YEARS. Provided work goes fonvard without a hitch, passenger trains should be running through the Arthur’s Pass tunnel within three years (says the 1 Lyttelton Times). Engineering experts j say that it will take twelve months to complete the present excavating and concrete lining operations. Then the 1 tunnil will require to be cleaned up, i permanent rails will have to be laid, ] and provision made for electrification, j work which will occupy another eighi teen months at least, j The tunnel is five miles twenty-five (hains in length, and there is still a distance of approxiriiately forty-four chains to bo hollowed out in Hie top heading. the Beaky men are now working one mile and thirty-seven chains from the eastern entrance, and the Otira men three miles and twentyfour chains from the western entrance. When both gangs make progress at the normal rate, they can excavate, arch and line one chain in six days, but there is always the possibility of delay through on unforeseen cause. To meet contingencies, the Public Works Department intends to send another gang of fifteen men into the Bealey face, where there will thou be three shifts, each working six hours. At the Otira end (here are about sixty meu employed inside the tunnel, working in four shifts of four hours each. When they have finished up round the scene ef tho slip these men will go *on for the ordinary wet schedule time of six hours a day. The Government has now decided definitely that trains passing through the mnnel .-hall be carried on electric ]vcwer generated by steam, and that the full electrified section shall extend a distance of seven miles, from the Arthur’s Pass station to the Otira station. Tenders for this part of the work will close on August 7th. The plans show that Otira will be tbe real centre of tunnel .activities. In addition to Hie power-bouse and fitting shop, forty model dwellings will be erected there for the electricians and workmen. The lay-on t of the present yards at the Arthur's Pass and Otira stations will be changed entirely. The platforms will be of the “island” type, set up between the main line and the sidings, and subways will be constructed for the use of passengers. When trains arrive for the tunnel trip* only the ‘engines will be changed. Carriages will travel either way.