The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 3 (July 1, 1932)
Rapid Transport
Rapid Transport
A ten-ton lot of bananas, landed at Auckland at 10 a.m., despatched at 3 p.m. and received at New Plymouth at 1 p.m. the following day—only 22 hours after despatch—was an instance of fast railway transport work recently, which was gratefully acknowledged by the City Markets Ltd., New Plymouth, in the following letter. On this occasion an insulated wagon was used—not to keep the cold in, but to keep it out!
We desire to express our appreciation and thanks to you, Mr. Tunbridge, of the local staff, and the Auckland Goods Agent, for the very courteous manner in which you received our request for the urgent transport of ten (10) tons, of Fiji bananas ex the “Waipahi,” Auckland, on the 7th June. Considering the “Waipahi” did not commence unloading until 10 a.m. and there were delays during the day on account of rain, our Auckland agents secured our quota and with the Department's assistance and consent the bananas were loaded and ready for the journey by 3 p.m. An insulated bogie wagon was used, attached to the mail train connecting with the express goods Wanganui-New Plymouth and we were receiving delivery on Wednesday, June the 8th at 1.15 p.m., twenty-seven (27) hours after the ship commenced unloading at Auckland. The insulated wagon (a new venture) was personally inspected on arrival and we are very pleased to report that there were no signs of the fruit sweating. This no doubt was due to the fast service and the insulation was a safeguard against the extreme cold. Services such as this we can assure you are greatly appreciated and proof of what can be done when any situation is handled in a business-like manner.