THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2095, 22 January 1908, Page 2

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

THE QUESTION OF SPEED. REMARKS BY THE MINISTER. “I have been on railways in America, where there was much more vibration than could be experienced on any railway in New Zealand,” remarked the Hon. James McGowan, Minister for Public Works, referring to the criticisms recently levelled at the manner in which the Public Works Departments ballast train descends the inclines on the Main Trunk line from Raurimu to Taumarunui. “But we don’t want to get like the Americans,” -added the Minister reassuringly. “No packing up the sleepers in the first instance can make the track so that there is no vibration, but- heavy rails and 90-ton engines will soon solidify it-, and there is no danger.” MR. WILFORD’S REPLY TO THE DISTRICT ENGINEER.

Replying to the statement of the District Engineer t-liat the line is in first-class order. Mr. Wilford said: —“Mr. Mclntosh says ‘the line is in first-class order and is good for a speed of fifty miles per hour.’ In the same paragraph lie admits that the speed limit is thirty miles per hour. He /.Iso says that the sleepers -are in good order. I don’t deny that. I contend that the rails have spread at. the corners. Mr. Mclntosh, while admitting that the speed is thirty miles per hour, admits -also that it is sometimes exceeded. That is my contention. He says ‘there is no danger in travelling fifty miles pcr_ hour except on the curves.’ It Is the curves I complained of. He also says ‘most of tho curves are transition curves.’ From information gathered there from the men who made tho line, I say thero are no transition curves, though thev are putting them in from T-aumaran-ui T’ailiape-wards. Mr. Mclntosh says he never heard of~nine acres of land slipping into tho river. He has a report in his office from one of his own officers notifying him of the fact, and it was after these officers had consulted with him that tho loop-line over which I travelled was put in. My complaint was general, and not particular, in to the lack of 611100th running of the cars. I would like to say this in conclus:‘”l: If Mr. Mclntosh, instead of sitting m his office, will come down and look at the lino for himself ami consult his officers, he will have a different story to tell.”