The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 4 (August 1, 1928)
New Type of Car for the Main Trunk
New Type of Car for the Main Trunk
The Chief Mechanical Engineer (Mr. G. S. Lynde) is now engaged upon the final details of a new type of car for the Main Trunk. This car, with its handsome outline and generous spaciousness, promises to provide the ideal of comfort and luxury for day travel.
It is 50 feet long and has seating accommodation for 27 passengers. Mr. Lynde states that he has sacrificed three seats, as compared with the existing Main Trunk car, to give more luxurious accommodation for the travelling public.
There are 10 of these new type cars to be built, seven non-smokers and three smokers, seven for the North Island and three for the South Island. The non-smoking cars have lavatories at either end, one for ladies and one for gentlemen, and will be equipped with hot and cold water.
The car windows are of the frameless balanced type, opening from the top to the bottom, as opposed to our existing windows, which open from the bottom towards the top.
Above the balanced window is a sliding glass ventilator, and immediately above the sliding glass ventilator is the M.M. air extractor. The car will be sheathed with Vitron enamel steel sheathing, which is in accordance with the very latest practice. With this sheathing there is no painting or varnishing required. The Department's crest will be burnt into the enamel, also the class and smoking or non-smoking signs, as the case may be.
The car will be steam-heated on the atmospheric principle. This will be controlled at four different places at the will of the passengers in the car. The advantage of the atmospheric system is that it will enable an equal distribution of heat to all parts of the train. In the three smoking cars a coupe has been provided, which will accommodate four passengers. This coupe is most generously designed and will give the maximum of comfort and luxury. It should prove a boon to the public who wish to engage a small compartment of the sort for private parties.