TURAKINA DEVIATION READY

Chronicle (Levin), 3 December 1947, Page 3

TURAKINA DEVIATION READY

FIRST TRAFFIC OVER NEW LINE ON SUNDAY , WANGANUI, Dec. 2. Tlie first tlirough railway traffie ou tlic new Okoia-Turakina railway deviation, wliich is to be opened next Sunday, will'be tlie New Plymouth to Wellington railear. Finisliing touehes lmve been made to the new line in readiness for the diversion of traffie on Sundav, and as from that date all trains between Wellington and Wanganui will use the deviation, and Pataua and the old Wangaehu, Baker's Crossing and Fordell stations will be elimiiiated. _ The aetual lengtli of the deviation is 30 railes 20 chains, and the aetual saving in distanee, eompared with the old route, is 4 miles 9 chains, but of more importanee is the faet that the deviation will eliminate some of the worst grades in the North Island railway systeni, exeepting, of course, that over the Rimutaka ineline. Saving in haulage costs will be consideralile. The saving in time for express trains is about 20 minutes between Aramoho and Marton. The New Plymouth-Wel-lington express on Tuesday next, the tirst express train to use the new deviation, will leave Aramoho at 12.17 p.m. instead of 12.27 p.m., as at present. The north-bound Wellington-New Plymouth express will leave Marton at the usual time, but will arrive at Aramoho at 3.14 p.m. instead of 3.32 p.m. Similar yavings in time will be possible for mixed trains between Wanganui and Palmerston North. The only stations on the new route will be Whangaehu (wliieli has been given its eorreet name, the letter "h ' being added instead of the usual "Wangaehu"), and Fordell. The Whangaehu siatioa has been completed, but that at Fordell has yet to be built. Two bridges were neeessary to carrv the new line, oue over the Turakina and the other over tlie Whangaehu Rivers.