RAIL SERVICE TO WAIROA

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 186, 24 August 1937, Page 6

RAIL SERVICE TO WAIROA

First Train Makes Return Trip REGULAR SCHEDULE The first of tlie regular service of goods trains from Napier to Wairoa left at 7.20 piin, Jast evening, itB 19 ears containing 230 tons of goods for the northern station. EarJy this morning a train arrived in Napier from Wairoa, witli trucks of cattle. For tlie present there will be oue train from Napier to Wairoa each evening, "excluding Saturdays and Buhdays, whicli will arrive back i 11 Napier eafly the next morning, Goods will be carried for intermediate stations aloiig the lihe, although all the produce ih last evening' s train was for Wairoa direct, The train' s. load Of 230 tdhs was coinprised mainly of fertihsers ahd coal, while the return train carried obout 180 tons, there being 10 trucks of stock in addition to empty wagons. So far the two sections of the line between Napier and Wairoa are lindet separate control, that from Napier to Putorina having been handed over as complete to the Railways Department, wliiie the Putorino-\V airoa sbction, which includes the Mohaka vioduct, remains in the hands of the Public Works Department for completion. Work on the station yards and sidings at the Wairoa station lias been given preference to enable the institution of the regular goods service in the shortest possible time. The yard, although there yet remains some work to be completed, is capable of handling a considerable volume of traffic, wliiie work ' on the laying-out of the station is proceeding apace for the time when a passenger service will be added to the existing goods scliedule, On the section of rail from Putorino northwards a considerable amount of work remains to be done. Stations are yet to be either erected or repaired in many cases, sidings and crossings to be constructed, and tlie line reformed, and fenced. In addition the erection of houses for signalmen is to be completed, but it is hoped that this section of the line will be handed over 'to the Railways Department by. the end of the present year.