PALMERSTON’S NEW RAILWAY STATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3823, 26 July 1928, Page 2

PALMERSTON’S NEW RAILWAY STATION.

OUTLINED BY GENERAL MANAGER.

On Monday, Mr. 11. H. Sterling, General Manager of Railways, accompanied by several members of his staff, met the Palmerston North Borough Council to discuss the plans of Palmerston’s new railway station.

The approach to the new building will be from the ramp at Rangitikei line and also from Boundary road across to the station, access being through a shbway under the lines. Traffic from the Showgrounds and the racecourse, on Show days and race days, would also use this access. Passengers having heavy luggage and big parcels would use the Rangitikei line access in order to avoid carrying heavy packages through the subway. In either case passengers would be landed by their ears and taxis within a few feet of the main lobby. The booking office and luggage rooms would also he close to the entrance, thus saving passengers any unnecessary walking. Off the main lobby would be the ladies’ waiting-room, general waiting-room, refreshment, and dining-rooms. This lobby, which would be the central point of the station, woqld be about 37 by 93ft. in area, access to the two main platforms being obtained from it.

All north-bound trains would arrive at and be dispatched from the western platform. All south-bound trains would use the eastern platform. By means of this arrangement, with few exceptions, the trains would be able to pull up practically opposite the entrance to the main iobby. Passengers would, therefore, be saved the necessity of a long walk from their train cars back to the station doors.

The main platforms would be 30 feet wide, enabling the largest crowds to be handled without congestion. The exact length of the platforms had not been been quite decided upon, but would be in the vicinity of 1600 feet —more than sufficient to enable the largest train to.be pulled up alongside the platform. The main running lines will be so arranged that the conflicting movements of trains would be reduced to a minimum, while the present necessity for holding trains up outside the signals while the station was cleared would not exist. The man line from Longburn to Vogel street station would be worked as a double track.

The new goods yards is designed to handle very much heavier traffic than passes through Palmerston North at present. The complete scheme is not being carried out immediately, but will be finished as requirements demand it.

The architectural features of the station have not yet been decided upon, but the building will probably be of one story and will be constructed either in concrete or brick.

The passenger station will be of the most, modern and up-to-date type, with shops, barber’s room, showers, dressing-rooms, etc. There will be a refreshment buffet with the ordinary counterlunch conveniences, wliile, in addition, there will be a comfortable dining-room to accommodate one hundred diners.