FASTER TRAINS.

Shannon News, 20 February 1925, Page 2

FASTER TRAINS.

SPEEDING UP NEW PLYMOUTH AND NAPIER EXPRESSES. STOPS TO BE CUT OUT. (Palmerston Times). It has been learned from an authentic, though unofficial, source, that the Railway Department has under consideration some iar-reaching alterations in tlie train service on the WellingtomPaluierston North-Napier-New Plymouth sections, which, wheu adopted, \yiU mean an appreciable improvement in the travelling facilities between the provinces, as well as a better' service between Palmerston North and Wellington. The new arrangement, it is understood, will provide for a fast train from Wellington to. Palmertson North, leaving the city at about 8 a.m., and arriving here towards noon, picking up passengers at all intermediate stations. The Napier and New Plymouth expresses from Wellington will not stop between the ciiy and Palmerston N., and the passengers *for these trams wiJi be picked up at Palmerston N., whence they will toe brought toy tlie morning passenger tram. Both expresses will leave Wellington later than at present, tout will toe scheduled to arrive at their destination about the same time as at present, the cutting out of stops accounting for tho fast run. Perhaps the most important feature of file alteration will be the effecting oi’ direct communication between Ilawkes Bay and New Plymouth. Tlie Napier express will make a fast run across and will connect with the New Plymouth express here, this having been delayed. Passengers lor New Plymouth, will have only a few min- " utes here. The New Plymouth-Wellington express will also be speeded up. With a view to confirming the information, a reporter approached the stationmaster (Mr J. J. O’Shea), who would not commit himself to any definite statement declaring that he had nothing t° divulge at the present time. He admitted, however, that alterations affecting this section of the line were contemplated, and were at present under consideration by the Department. But tbe matter otf .times, or schedule he would not discuss,, as he had nothing definite upon the subject.