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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 7 (February 1, 1932.)

Excursion Fares Draw Increased Traffic

Excursion Fares Draw Increased Traffic.

The Home railways have met successfully the competition of the road carrier through their policy of acquiring financial interest in the larger road transport undertakings. Now they are concentrating upon the improvement of their long-distance passenger and freight train services, with the idea of retaining this type of business to the rail route.

During the last summer season each of the four group railways speeded up passenger timetables: in addition to the acceleration of the principal expresses, better cross-country links were provided, and local train services improved. Many new day trains were introduced, a large number including refreshment cars in their make-up; while for the rush months new sleeping-car trams were btougnt into the schedules of the Anglo-Scottish and West of England night runs. Excursions at low rates, for both long and short periods, have drawn immense numbers of passengers to the rail route in preference to road travel, and altogether the group lines have experienced a relatively profitable summer holiday season.

On the freight side the Home railways are aiming at providing a service of fast trains composed of vacuum-braked trucks and high-powered locomotives that will meet the most exacting needs of traders. Motor-lorry links between railheads and agricultural districts, fishing-ports and remote villages, also are being greatly improved. Scores of fast braked freight trains now run nightly between the principal London goods stations and other important cities, providing in most cases “next morning” deliveries. These services are carried out at the ordinary goods rates, and time-tables indicating times of departure and approximate times of ar tvvaV oi traffic in through wagons are issued to all interested traders. Terminal operations, also, are being speeded up, and overhead electric cranes and other modern appliances installed to facilitate the handling of traffic in the goods depots.