Electrification nears Ohakune

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 29, 10 December 1985, Page 5

Electrification nears Ohakune

Electrification of the main trunk line moved a step closer last week as the overhead traction train worked south of Ohakune hanging the copper contact wire from the overhanging arms of the support poles. At the same time excavations were going on near Ohakune station to embed in the ground plastic pipes containing state-of-the-art fibre-optic cable for the new communications and signals system. The main trunk line is being equipped for electric locomotives between Palmerston North and Hamilton to increase its capacity as traffic increases — nearly half of all freight carried by New Zealand Railways already moves between those two towns. The present diesel engines are slowed to a crawl in the rugged central North Island and the new 25,000 volt electric trains will be able to move much faster, and use the line more efficiently. The southern and northern ends of the line are relatively flat and electrification was not necessary there. New communications were needed because the powerful 25,000 volt power charge would be induced into overhead telephone wires and also give interference. The first of 22 British electric locomotives is due to arrive in January next year and tests will begin on the Palmerston North to Marton stretch Commercial operations between Palmerston and Taihape will start in about a year and site work will begin on stage two froip Ohakune to Hamilton early in the new year.