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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 4 (August 1, 1933)

Electric Working

Electric Working.

As to the method of working the new line, Mr. Coates said, it was decided after full investigation to adopt electric working. “The electrification,” he continued, “will embrace the section of line between Wellington and Paekakariki. The capital cost is estimated at £277,000. An up-to-date examination of the relative costs of steam and electric working show, after taking depreciation and interest on capital into account, about £5000 per annum in favour of electric working.

“Other considerations operating in favour of electricity were the superior standard of service, particularly through the tunnels on the deviation, one of which is nearly three miles long, and the virtual elimination of the Pukerua grade so far as operating is concerned. This latter circumstance arises from the fact that an electric engine can haul over that grade a load as great as a steam engine is able to work over the line northward of Paekakariki. A good deal of preparatory work in connection with the electrification has been done.