TRAIN SERVICES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1455, 1 June 1912, Page 3

TRAIN SERVICES.

MANAWATU AND WAIRARAPA LINES. IMPORTANT ALTERATIONS. IBy i'Xeleeraiili.—Press Association.) "" "Palmerston North, May 31. Tho Minister for Railways made an announcement to-day regarding the proposed alterations in the train services on the Manawatu and Wairarapa. lines. A new- train will bo put on from Palmerston to connect with tho train leaving Woodville for Wellington at 2.15 p.m. A train is to leave Wellington at 4:15 a.m. as a goods train to Cross Creek, and thence as a mixed train to Woodville. This train will leave Cross Creek at 8 a.m., Masterton 10 a.m., and will connect with the mail train Irom Napier to .Wellington. This gives the connection asked for from tho Wairarapa district with the express to Auckland, the train to leave Palmerston North at 12.10 p.m. after arrival of the express from Auckland, taking passengers tor tho Wairarapa as far as Cross Creek. This train will leave Woodvillo at 2.15, and Jksterton at 5.30 p.m. The 7.50 a.m. mail tram from Wellington via Wairarapa is to Teach Woodville at 2.10 p.m., or ten minutes earlier than at present. Ihe mail train from Napier to Levin at 8.45- a.m., five minutes earlier than- at present, reaching Woodville at 1 p.m., allowing time for luncheon, and reaching Palmerston at 2.20 p.m. The mail tram noiv leaving Woodville at 1.20 p.m. will leave at 11.5 p.m., Masterton 3.J3 p.m., and arrive at Wellington, 7.20 p.m., instead of 7.40, as at present. This will ensure connection with the WellmgtonLyttelton ferry service. Passengers from tho Napier line for the Wairarapa wi 1 then have 15 minutes for lunch at Woodville, instead of five minutes, as at present. These arrangements give the WaiTarapa people practically what they asked Further improvements in the Welling-ton-Napier mail service will bo effected as soon as more powerful locomotives, now being built by Hessrs. Price Brothers, of Thames, .iro available, estimated to Lβ in about six' months' time. In addition to tho gain by the more powerful locomotives, time will be saved in reducing the present delays through stoppages. The cost of the additional trams will amount to a considerable sum, nevertheless the services will be greatly improved for both -passenger and goods traffic, removin? to a large extent the delays in transit of goods between Wellington and the Wairarapa now complained of. Against the additional expense there will be an undoubted reduction of the extra goods trains now required to overtake tho traffic, and in addition to this the more expeditious handling of the rolling stock will be a ' direct gain to the Department. Xhe new train between Woodville and Wellington ' will to some extent assist the Department in relieving the pressure at Palmerston and on Hie Manawatu .line: It is also considered that the new trains mil have the effect of increasing tho business to and from the Wairarapa. It is proposed that, these alterations shall come into effect as from July 1.