RAILWAY CONGESTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 378, 12 June 1928, Page 16

RAILWAY CONGESTION

AUCKLAND-FRANKTON LINE WILL NEW MANAGER URGE DUPLICATION? Will the new general manager of railways, Mr. H. H. Sterling, urge the completion of the duplication of the line between Auckland and Frankton Junction? That is the question which is exercising the minds of those who are concerned with the congestion of traffic on the most congested length of railway In the Dominion. At present the automatic electric signalling system is being installed between Mercer and Frankton Junction, and will soon be brought into operation. The system, which was tnstalled in sections between Auckland and Mercer, is working satisfactorily. It is considered that the installation of the automatic signals will materially assist the working of traffic to the Waikato, but another subject which no doubt requires consideration is the question of the duplication of the line for some distance north of Frankton Junction This must be done eventually to relieve the congestion which now arises frorr the large number of goods and passenger trains which are in operation over a single line through that district.

The line is at present duplicated trom Auckland r o Papatoetoe a distance of 11 mile 3 and traffic over that section works comfortably. In time the rest of the line to Frankton Junction must be duplicated because of the consistent increase in railway traffic.

Since the opening of the Bay of Plenty section of the East Coast railway the traffic to Auckland from the Waikato has increased considerably and with the growth of the Waikato district, which is apparent every year, the railways must be further con gested.

At present goods trains running late often hinder the time-table of the Limited expresses. In holiday time, when the number of passenger trains is increased, a double line between Auckland and Frankton Junction would be of great assistance in running to time-table.

No doubt the question of duplication will be discussed shortly, but it is not thought that anything definite will be done until the Railway Statement, is presented t.o the House this coming session.