RAIL-CARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1938, Page 6

RAIL-CARS

INTRODUCTION JUSTIFIED OBSERVATIONS BY MINISTER OF RAILWAYS FASTER AND MORE NUMEROUS SERVICES That the rail-cars already in use on the New Zealand railways have fully justified their introduction, was claimed by the Hon D. G. Sullivan. Minister of Railways, in an interview with a “Times-Age” reporter last night. He said that the services given by these modern transport units on the Well-ington-Wairarapa-Palmerston North route, and the Christchurch-Grey-mouth-Hokitika run had well established their popularity, and proved their utility in respect of speed, comfort, safety and economy. “The rail-cars in the Wairarapa area commenced running on September 17, 1936,” added Mr Sullivan. "They replaced the morning steam train service from Masterton to Wellington and the return steam service in the afternoon from Wellington to Masterton, provided a new service between Palmerston North and Wellington via the Wairarapa, and also gave additional services between Wellington and Upper Hutt. CHOICE OF TWO SERVICES. “Masterton residents visiting Wellington and returning on the same day now have the choice of two rail-car services, and one steam train service in each direction daily. Prior to the introduction of rail-cars, Wairarapa passengers from north of Masterton could not travel to Wellington and back to their homes on the same day, but now they can do so and have over three hours in the capital city. Likewise passengers from Masterton and south thereof who, prior to the rail-car service had only 41 hours in Wellington, can now have 8 hours in Wellington, and return the same day.” “The best schedule time for a steam train, Woodville to Wellington, is 5 hours 31 minutes,” continued the Minister “but the rail-car performs the journey in just under four hours. School children between Cross Creek and Masterton benefit greatly. They can now leave home later and arrive at school earlier than hitherto, and they reach home in the evenings fully an hour earlier. Three hundred and sixty school children are now conveyed by rail-car between Cross Creek and Masterton weekly* “Passengers arriving by the Limited from Auckland can now transfer to the rail-car at Palmerston North and reach Pahiatua at 8.33 a.m., and Masterton at 9.41 a.m. This is a great improvement upon what could be done before rail-cars were introduced. Passengers from Wairarapa can also make a speedy rail-car trip to Palmerston North to connect with the Limited instead of having to travel as was the case formerly, by a slow mixed train. These are but a few of the improved travel amenities now provided by the Department for the people,” SUNDAY RUNNING. “Sunday rail-car services designed to afford better and faster travel facilities have been provided between Wellington, Wairarapa and Palmerston North,” the Minister added. “The Sunday timetable provides ten rail-car trips Wellington-Upper Hutt and vice versa, four trips each way WellmgtonMasterton, and one trip each way Wel-lington-Woodville-Palmerston North All these trips provide longer stays at terminals than was possible under the old steam train timetables. The advisability of the rail-cars for the carriage of urgent parcels was another feature. I “The increased passenger train mileage run on this route approximating 253 430 miles per year must be considered a very encouraging indication Of public appreciation of the improved passenger transport facilities the railcars provide.” NEW TYPE OF VEHICLE In referring further to the pioved efficiency and popularity of the railcars designed and built by the Depaitment for use on the Wairarapa and Midland routes, Mr Sullivan mentioned the new standard type of rail-car which has been designed and built by the Department. “Two of this type -the “Aotea” and the “Tokomaru”— have already been completed,” he said. “Another will leave the workshops for trial runs this month. Two more will be on the rail early in the New Year. On account of the pressure of work in New Zealand it has been necessary to place an order in England for ten standard design rail-cars, to be built *o the Department’s plans and specifications, and the first of these is expected to arrive in June next.” “The result of all these improvements in vehicles and readjustment of timetables,” Mr Sullivan concluded, is that the general public are receiving substantial benefits in travel and in the transport of goods and mails greatly superior to anything they have pieviously enjoyed. As the railway patronage in the Wairarapa increases, so will our services expand, and the pub- *■ lie may be assured of further advances which will add to the comfort, happiness and material progress of the people of this richly-endowed district.”