THE ROYAL VISIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5075, 14 January 1927, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

PREPARING THE TRAIN.

THE WORK DESCRIBED.

An industrious, team of craftsmen at, the Petone workshops are enthusiastically applying themselves t 0 the task of preparing and equipping the train which is to convey Their Royal Highnesses through the North Island. This undertaking is of much greater magnitude t,han it sounds, but the skill with which the work to date has been carried out consolidates the belief that the equippage will be completed in a manner truly appropriate to the reception of Royalty. The train will include four sleepers —two of the de luxe pattern and two of the twenty-berth type—one Royal car, one Ministerial car, one kitchen car, one Royal dining car, one full dining car, and one van. The Petone workshops are doing most of the work, the exception being the Ministerial cal- and two twenty-berth sleepers, which are being handled at Auckland. No fewer than seven engines. to be. used during the visit are at present, passing through the Petone workshops for overhaul. Five of them are being prepared for service with the. Royal train, and the other two for the use of the p’lot trains. If present indications are a reliable guide there will be. nothing of the ordinary locomotive about the five engines which are to occupy the limelight positions. They are being highly finished, painted and polished, and the number plates are to be silvered. An important, as well as interesting departure, is the decision to fit the Royal train engines with telephones, so that at any time communication will be possible between the drivers and the chief mechanical engineer (Mr Lynde), who will be travelling with the official party. ROYAL CAR DESCRIBED. All the carriages comprising the Royal train will be painted Midland Lake red. As Their Royal Highnesses enter the specially constructed car they will step into a lounge room, in which will be installed the chesterfield and other usual appointments. The electric light fittings will be of oxidised silver, and steam heating will be; provided. Opening off the corridor is the bathfoom for the use’of the Lady-in-Waiting and the Gentleman-in-Wait,ing, and next to it are the bedrooms to be occupied by those attendants. Then comes the Royal bedroom, while at the end of the car is the Royal bathroom. Electric fans and bells have already been installed, and the wires are now being laid for the telephone. The entire interior of the Royal car is of polished mahogany, and all that skill can accomplish is being brought to bear to produce a job worthy of the auspices. Leadlight windows are being installed, patent rollers are being fitted for the curtains, the bedrooms will have night, lights as well as reading lights, and hot and cold water will be provided in the bathrooms. The sides of the carriage which will carry the Royal Arms, are constructed of steel. DINING AND KITCHEN CARS. Half of the Royal dining car is being set aside foi; use as a store-room. The woodwork of the dining saloon is of polished mahogany, and the fittings are oxidised silver. Several leadlight windows are being installed. The store-room will be fitted with cupboards, shelves, a sideboard,, etc. A full corridor runs along one side of the car, and behind ' it are to be found all the appurtenances of the 'modern kitchen. There are two gas rings and two urns, a substantial gas stove, three hot-water tanks, heated by steam, sinks, ice chests,, meat safes, meat blocks, meat tables:, and plato racks. < The full dining car is also being suitably fitted up, and its seating capacity is estimated at thirty-seven. The luggage van is undergoing a process-' of renovation, and when completed will be in keeping with the rest of the train. It is understood that the whole of the train wil] be equipped with new bogies and stronger axles, deigned by the chief mechanical engineer. 1