MOTOR TRAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4873, 4 September 1925, Page 2

MOTOR TRAINS.

EXPERIMENTS BEING WATCHED. i 1 \ APPLICATION IN NEW ZEALAND. Interesting information is contained in the Railways Statement recently presented to Parliament relative to the institution of motor trains in New Zealand. The report states : — “Since the last st/itement valuable, information has been obtained regarding different types, of self-pro-pelled rail vehicles. Although practical operating experience has been obtained in the use of only two types —steam, and an improvised car driven by an internal-combustion petrol engine—it its obvious that much economy can be effected and more frequent service provided on many sections when a thoroughly reliable unit can'be secured. The ‘Sentinel’ steamcar has been in service for some months between Melling and Wellington, .'and the working costs, suitability, etc., are being closely watched so that results may be accurately gauged before such cars are placed on the (sections for which they may be found satisfactory. .... “The other car referred to was fitted with an ordinary six-cylinder motor-car engine by a Christchurch engineer. Trial runs have been made, and it is anticipated that this evhicle will be ready for practical wook in the near future.

“In addition, a Clayton steam-car has just arrived from England, and is- being placed in service. An Edison electric storage-battery car has been crderd, and should arrive in the Dominion about the beginning of October.

“The departmental officers in New Zealand and those at present abroad are obtaining the latest information about these vehicles, as it is believed that working expenses on many of our sections, and especially non-paying sections, can be considerably reduced by the utuilisation of reliable selfcontained units.” -