WAIRARAPA DEVIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 300, 15 September 1919, Page 5

WAIRARAPA DEVIATION

TWO ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS. Some remarks regarding tho proposed deviation of the Wairavapn line were made by ilr. J. P. Maxwell, who wis at odq time General Manager of Railways and has lately been appointed a member of tho_ Railways Commission of Inquiry. He suggested that present difficulties might be solved without change of route— : "(1) If chea]> electric power is available for working the section between Upper Hntt, and, say, Pigeon Bush. "(2) If a, new line-is made between' these points; With a tunnel not steeper than 1 in 35 between Upper Uutt and Mangaroa; a tunnel of about a mile between Mangaroa and Porn Flat, cutting out.Koitoke; a railway summit adopted nearer Fern Flat, and at a lowev level; descent thence to tho plains by tunnels and gradients not steeper than 1 in 35.' Such a line might be three or four miles shorter than, tho ■ present one between Upper Hutt and Pigeon Bush, the reconstruction being about 30 miles long. It would'bo the shortest and quickest, route between Wellington and Featherst'ife. It would be costly, but possibly less, so than a second railway by another' route. • "Tho cost," ho added, "is the key to thesoliition lam suggesting. If electrio power Is available, the railway can!' of eourso, be built on the lines I have suggested. The steep grade and central rail of tho Rimu-taka would be abandoned; •and all 6harp curves on this main line would bo wiped out. If tunnels and structures were built for a double line, a good working line would bo secured for all time" The electrification of. 6teep grade railways in America has shown that a greatly increased capacity for traffic and bettor speeds is attainable than witli steam locomotives, while the difficulty of ventilation of tunnels is overcome.