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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 2 (June 2, 1930)

Two Luxurious Express Trains

Two Luxurious Express Trains

Arailway event of outstanding importance to the citizens of Auckland and of Rotorua, and, in fact, of all New Zealand, was the inauguration, on 5th May, of the new service of luxurious express trains between Auckland and Rotorua—New Zealand's famous thermal wonderland.

These trains, which were specially built at the Railway Department's Workshops at Otahuhu, Auckland (to designs prepared by Mr. G. S. Lynde, until recently, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the New Zealand Railways), are fitted with all the most up-to-date improvements that the ingenuity of the railway coachbuilder's art can devise, and are, perhaps, the finest trains of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Indeed, globe-trotters of world-wide experience who made the inauguration trip to Rotorua, enthusiastically acclaimed the new accommodation as being quite equal, if not superior, to that provided on Continental, American, or British railways. This is not exaggerated boosting, for the Town Clerk of Auckland, who has travelled over all the great railways of the world, said to the writer: “Auckland is singularly fortunate in having these remarkably fine coaches for the Rotorua service; they are veritable ‘wonder trains’.”

The Departure from Auckland.

There was a large crowd of people on the platform at the Auckland station as the new express steamed out punctually. (A replica of the Auckland express left Rotorua at the same hour, 10.10 a.m., for Auckland). Our express was composed of two first-class carriages, four second-class carriages, an observation car, a guard's van, and a powerful locomotive. The train was full to capacity.

As our express gradually slackened its rate of speed and came to a standstill at Frankton Junction, we were afforded a most excellent close-up view of our twin-sister express, which had just arrived from Rotorua. Those of us who had seen Stevenson's original “Puffing Billy” and “carriages,” now on exhibition in the South Kensington Museum, in London, made a mental comparison of these relics of the railway inception period, with the artistic beauty and luxuriousness of the new expresses. In his interview with the writer, the Town Clerk of Auckland said: “I trust that the public will show their appreciation of the initiative and splendid enterprise of the railway management by patronising to the fullest possible extent the service to Rotorua. I doubt whether the great importance of the new undertaking has been adequately recognised by the people of Auckland, but when they find out what has been done I am certain that these trains will prove almost irresistible. Overseas tourists, particularly, will go away from the Dominion not only as most enthusiastic advertisers of our marvellous thermal wonders and health resorts, our magnificent lake and mountain scenery, and phenomenal trout-fishing, but will return to their home countries and sing the praises of the new express service to New Zealand's thermal wonderland.”

Scenes at Frankton Junction.

But, let us return to Frankton Junction. We found the station packed with enthusiastic sight-seers. Most of them were sturdy farmers and their families, who “scorn delights and live laborious days” on dairy farms nearby. They gazed in open-eyed wonderment at the splendour of the new expresses, with the richly emblazoned coat of arms on the outside of each carriage. This conspicuous adornment drew the attention of those who had seen the official Ministerial coaches with the royal arms painted in colours. Although these new coaches resemble the official cars in appearance, with respect to new contrivances the former are really more artistically finished and far more up-to-date.

page 18

Passengers Inspect the New Train.

After leaving Frankton, passengers went from end to end of the train examining everything, particularly the observation car with its beautiful Oriental carpet, its exquisite oxidised silver fittings, and dainty blue silk curtains hanging on its wide, low, plate-glass windows. These latter fit into felt guides, and are balanced with a leather spring arrangement, making for easy operation and eliminating any possibility of the windows rattling against their frames. The electric lighting, ventilation, and heating arrangements, also were greatly admired. The light, softly diffused through cut-glass globes, is pleasing and restful to the eye. At the back (on the carriage wall) of each of the richly upholstered reversible armchairs is a tiny electric reading light. In addition to electric fans and ceiling ventilation, glass slides, moving easily between felt guides, are provided over the windows for ventilation purposes. The heating apparatus is perfect, and can be easily operated by passengers. A further improvement is provided in that the hand-rails on the platform of the observation car are all electro-plated. Once seated in this delightfully cosy observation car one is tempted to break out into verse, and say with the poet:

“Let time not run away,

Cut short my future if you will,
But for the present let time stand still.”

Reluctantly we leave this car and inspect the other carriages before we arrive at Rotorua. We note that the whole train is connected by concertina vestibules, both dust-proof and windproof. This innovation will be very much appreciated by the travelling public. These twin Auckland-Rotorua expresses are the only trains of the kind on the New Zealand Railways. By the passengers, one heard perhaps more praise lavished on the corridors than any other part of the train—and that is saying a great deal.

The Carriages Described.

The first-class carriages are designed to give travellers ample room and comfort. The very latest style in armchairs is provided, these being furnished in rich blue moquette, of very serviceable texture, making a striking contrast with the silver-plated seating frames. The chairs can be easily adjusted to three different positions. The interior decorations are all of choice and beautifully polished New Zealand timbers. One heard the remark passed that it would be almost desecration to cover these artistic furnishings with advertisements, as is done on other trains. The windows (with the exception of width), the heating and ventilation, and the electric lights (excepting the small reading lamps) are much the same as those installed in the observation car. In each first-class carriage is a bird-cage compartment to seat six persons. These may be reserved for persons desiring privacy while travelling. Except with regard to the seating accommodation, there is no difference in the design of the second-class carriages.
The aristocrat of new zealand Trains (Photo, W. W. Stewart.) The Auckland-Rotorua “Limited Express” on the Parnell Bank, Auckland.

The aristocrat of new zealand Trains
(Photo, W. W. Stewart.)
The Auckland-Rotorua “Limited Express” on the Parnell Bank, Auckland.

page 19 The armchairs are covered with imitation leather of pleasing tone, but there is slightly less cushioned ease in the upholstery than in that of the first-class seats. However, the comfort facilities provided are a wonderful improvement on those of other cars. The exteriors of all the carriages are finished in Vitron enamel panels of Midland Lake Red.

To ensure smooth running, all springs used are specially tempered, and the bogeys of longer wheel-base than in use on other carriages. To minimise side shocks, which are experienced when rounding curves or travelling over crossings, these bogeys are also fitted with bolster buffers. By an ingenious contrivance the water supply is controlled from underneath each carriage, where it is contained in tanks of high capacity. Raised by means of air pressure of from seven to ten pounds per square inch, it passes through a heater governed by steam from the locomotive. Thus a supply of hot water, sufficient for the lavatory basin throughout the trip, is maintained.

Another interesting contrivance is an easily operated emergency brake, connected with the Westinghouse brake and fitted inside each carriage. One other feature is the new automatic couplings, manipulated by a lever, from the side of the carriage. These are designed to ensure absolute safety, not only to passengers, but also to shunters, whenever the latter are called upon to detach cars.

These are the most striking features of the new “Wonder Trains.” Although I have copious notes about places of interest passed on the way to Rotorua, I find that I have used all the space allotted me in describing (very imperfectly perhaps) the splendid arrangements of these new expresses, and must, therefore, eliminate all reference to the prosperous butter factories and the amazingly successful development of the country passed through (en route to Rotorua). Our express reached its destination at scheduled time, its arrival being enthusiastically greeted by a large crowd, whose interest and pride in the magnificent train was manifest on all sides.