TURAKINA DEVIATION OPENED

Chronicle (Levin), 8 December 1947, Page 7

TURAKINA DEVIATION OPENED

Press Association J

(Per

WANGANUI, Dec. 7. The railway deviation south of Aramoho from Okoia to Turakina on the Wellington-Wauganui niain liue was brouglit into operation to-night. Tlie first passenger trailic over the new route was conveyed by tlie New 1'ly-uiouth-Wellington railcar which accomplished the journey smoothly. The new routq assunied souietliing ot national siguiJLcance sonie years ago when it was found that the concrete vvurk in the t wo long tunnels had been faulty and resulted in coniplete re-lin iug having to be undertaken. The deviation does away wiili soiue of the steepest grades in the N ortli Lsland railway systeni over the Fordell, Whangaehu and Turakina banks. -The new route was surveyed in tlie days of ihe I'oates Miuistrv, but was delayed iiecause of the slunip and was then pui into beiug by tlie jwesent Governnienl. Two long tunnels and oue shorter oue carry the route along tlie Xiatarawa Valley and across tlie Whangaehu Yalley into Turakina. The Ratana and old Whangaehu, Fordell andBaker's Crossiug stations ha\-e been eliminated by the new line which will liiean a saving of 20 minutes' travelling time between Wanganui and Wellington, and in addition a great saving in coal or oil used for steaming over the old grades.