NEW LOUNGE-CARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 854, 24 December 1929, Page 8

NEW LOUNGE-CARS

COMFORT FOR TRAVELLERS ARM-CHAIRS AND COUCHES Travellers on the Daylight Limited between Auckland and Wellington are to have the comfort of a luxuriously appointed lounge car. Two cars have been converted, one for the up train and one for the dow n. They are the last word iu comfortable travelling, as far as the railways are concerned. One of the cars is at present in the Auckland yards, undergoing final tests, and it will be put into commission shortly. It contains 16 upholstered armchairs and two large couches. They are not fixed to the floor, nor do they resemble in any way the ordinary railway seats. The chairs and the couches can be moved at will to suit the convenience of the passengers, and there is plenty of space between them. Each window* is draped with royal blue brocaded material, and the floor is richly carpeted. The great advantage of this lounge car is that parties of friends who are travelling together can arrange themselves for a comfortable chat without disturbing anyone else. The scenery can also be viewed without having to twist the neck, as a passenger can turn his armchair to face a window if necessary.

Recent developments by the Railway Department show that more and more attention is being paid to the comfort and convenience of the travelling public. A new booking and inquiry office has been opened in Rotorua in the middle of the town, so that tourists and passengers need not walk to the railway station to find out any infoimation.

Mr. L. Chapman, formerly of the Auckland office, has been appointed to take charge of the office at Rotorua, and will also take over a good deal of the organisation work in the district.

Very shortly two new expresses will be ready for the Rotorua passenger service. They are at present being constructed at the Otahuhu workshops, but they will not be ready until after the Christmas and New Year holiday season.