TRIAL EXPRESS RUN

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 12 November 1919, Page 3

TRIAL EXPRESS RUN

A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. The Main Trunk limited express made very successful trial runs between Wellington and Auckland during the week-end. Xo difficulty, it is slated, was experienced in keeping up to schedule time cither going or returning; and tho long runs without tho usual stoppages at the minor stations wore regarded by the passengers with great pleasure and satisfaction. The North-bound limited left Th»rndoii'at S p.m. on Saturday, and was scheduled to reach Auckland at 11.50 a.m. on Sunday after a journey of 15 hours. 50 minutes, or 2 hours 23 minutes faster than the ordinary express. Between 50 and GO people were aboard tho train, which, making splendid time, arrived at Auckland a few minutes ahead of time. Stops were made at six stations, the lengths of the various stages being:—Thorndon to Palmerston North, 87 miles; to Marlon. 29 miles; to Tnihapc, 44 miles: to Ohakuno, 41 miles; to Taumarunui, 50 miles; to Plankton, 00 miles; to Auckland, S 3 miles. A stop of half an hour was made at Frankton for breakfast. On the return trip the train started at 2.15 x'- m - on Sunday, and was scheduled to reach Thorndon at 6.45 a.m. on Monday, the journey taking 16 hours 30,minutes, or 1 hour 28 minutes loss than the ordinary express. About 100 people made the trip, and again the run proved a good one. The same stops were made as on the north trip, and the train arrived at Thorndon a few minutes before schedule time. A stop of half an hour was made at Frankton for tea.