MORE RAILCARS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20494, 10 May 1938, Page 8

MORE RAILCARS

GOVERNMENT’S ORDER TEN OF IMPROVED TVPE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday With the Government’s policy to develop the railcar method of passenger transport, the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said in a statement that the tender of the Vulcan Foundry Company, Ltd-, Lancashire, has been accepted for tlie supply of ten complete standard railcars. “These cars,” said Mr Sullivan, “will be Diesel-engined with mechanical transmission of an improved type. Delivery of the first car under the tender will be made in New Zealand 14 months after receipt of the order, with one car fortnightly until the order is completed.” Asked if it were not possible to construct railcars in New Zealand, the Minister replied that the position had been thoroughly examined, and it was found to be altogether impracticable. “There are now six of these cars under construction at the Hutt railway workshops,” Mr Sullivan said, “and immediately they are completed the rate of output will increase, when additional facilities are available at both Hutt and Addington workshops. “In connection with this order,” said the Minister, “I may say that owing to delay in deliveries of steel from Britain, the rolling-stock building programme of the Department has not been advanced sufficiently to meet the needs of traffic development and of that expansion of modern passenger services and facilities on the railways which forms an important part of the Government’s transport policy. To make up the leeway this overseas order has been placed.” In addition to the railcars now on order, the Minister added, it has been decided to call for tenders for the supply of ten three-car Diesel-engined train units, which would each provide seating accommodation for about 150 passengers,