MORE COMFORTABLE ELECTRIC TRAINS

Chronicle (Levin), 24 August 1946, Page 5

MORE COMFORTABLE ELECTRIC TRAINS

YLLLIXGTOX, August 23, ' Impro vemcnts being incorporated in tlie new rolling- stock for whieh con tiacts have been Jet in Britain, will j brmg to Wellington and suburbs a st.uula rd of electrie train travel equai to anylhing on ihe London tubes, " said the Minister of Railvvays, Hon. n. Seinple today. "Some of tlie improvemeiits are designed to meet special locai conditioms and otliers nrp in I.-,.,,,,,

vvith latest technical advances overseas. L assenger comiort is to l)e increased by higher doorways, a more helpful handrail at doorways, better ventilation and probably fluorescent lighting. All windows will be of the half-drop type and all side windows may be opened. Searing will be as 011 existing Johnsonviite cais except that there will be four fewei seats to enable the enlargement of the baggage coinpartineut. This will fdcilitate the carriage of prants and enable a more comfortable driver com ; partment to be provided., . ' nits will, as Gar as pbssible, prevent possiMe 'interfeience -with household radio reeeption. " Mr. -Semple said that while the new equipmeut was intended priniarilv for service in the Hutt area, it was bemg built suitable also for use between Web lington and Johnsonville and Wellington aml Paekakariki. The seven electrie locomotives for the Hutt lines, wluen would be principally for goods haulage, were of a totally new design vvitii a w eight of 75 tons. They would be lignter but considerably more powerful tJiau those now on the Paekakariki-Welling-ton line.