OTIRA TUNNEL.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1923, Page 4

OTIRA TUNNEL.

THE ELEGRICAL WORK. CHAIRI.ETE IX A MONTH. CHRISTCHURCH, May 17. A definite announcement of an early completion of the electrical work in connection with the Arthur’s Pass tunnel was made hv Air Evan Parry, on-gineer-in-cliiei of the English electric company, who returned last evening from a vist to the tunnel. The electrical work so far as the tunnel is. concerned, said AH' Parry, would be completed in a mont’i’s time and the electrical equipment of the i lug yard at Otira in a fortnight. A month lienee, therefore, it will he possible for the electric locomotives to operate over the whole portion of the line on which they are to haul traffic, and the tunnel, so for as its electrical side is concerned, will he ready to commence the long-deferred function oi uniting the two stretches of line between Christchurch and (Jreymouth. The five main line electric locomotives are ready to perform their office. These locomotives are interchangeable, and will he convenient and speedy in handling. Passenger trains will he hauled by a single locomotive, and heavy goods traffic by two. Hi addition to these locomotives, there i- one battery locomotive for shunting and repair purposes. This locomotive i- independent of the power linos on which the main line locomotives depend, and will he able to handle a class of work taking it away from the power lines. After the completion in a month’s time of thi' electrical work, it will depend upon the arrangements that the Railway Department can make how -oon the tunnel will lie opened to traffic. After tile completion of the electrical work, some time will he taken ii|) in the training of the staff that is to handle the traffic over the electrified portion of the line. The training i,f the drivers of the locomotives was, i,f course, started some time ago, hut ihe training o! men in other p-ortion- ,.| the work has had to await the completion of the electrical installation. The actual date of opening, therefore I ca ll iio! he announced yet. hut it should I not ha lung after the completion of the I electrical work. The long dream ol i through transit will then he realised. I lr wifi not lie necessary for passengers I to change train- on arrival at the tunnel the only operation being that the -team locomotive will give- place to the electric al hauler.

Next week Air Parry wdl vi-il Dunedin and Invercargill, and on hi- return to Christchurch "ill again visit the tunnel.