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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 10 (May 1, 1929.)

[section]

February 14th, 1929 was a red letter day in New Zealand Railway history, for it marked the successful inception of this country's first electric suburban railway.

Intense interest was taken in the ceremony, large crowds gathering from all over the province and representative men from every part of New Zealand to take part in the celebration.

The arrangements made by the Department were exceptionally complete and the run from Christchurch to Lyttelton, with electric locomotive E.12, and a party of 900 guests, was made in the record time of 10 1/2 minutes, and delighted everyone.

Scenes on the Day. Left.—Mrs. Taverner cuts the ribbon. Group on Right.—On locomotive: Driver Young, A. J. Jeffs and H. J. Wynne. On platform: H. H. Sterling (General Manager), Mrs. Taverner, and the Hon. W. B. Taverner.

Scenes on the Day.
Left.—Mrs. Taverner cuts the ribbon. Group on Right.—On locomotive: Driver Young, A. J. Jeffs and H. J. Wynne. On platform: H. H. Sterling (General Manager), Mrs. Taverner, and the Hon. W. B. Taverner.

Amongst the distinguished visitors were the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister), and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (ex-Prime Minister).

The Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Taverner), was supported by the General Manager of Railways (Mr. H. H. Sterling), in the opening ceremony. Great enthusiasm was shown by all when the powerful, rumbling monster E.12 backed onto the 18-car train, and hearty cheers broke out as Mrs. Taverner gracefully cut the tape that liberated the “all red” train for its first journey to the Port.

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At Lyttelton, where bright sunshine on the sparkling waters of the Inlet and a pleasant breeze added to the content of the visitors, the most complete arrangements had been made for their entertainment by the Department.

Speaking over the air to listeners-in, Mr. Sterling said that he was very glad to be able to record that the first electric train did its journey from Christchurch to Lyttelton in the record time of ten and a half minutes. The journey was done with the utmost smoothness, and to the speaker's satisfaction. He was looking forward to the future with the greatest confidence, and he felt that the performance that afternoon was just the commencement of the use of electrical resources for railway transport. It was certainly a revolution in transport that must have a great significance for a country so well endowed with latent resources for the development of electricity.

Following afternoon tea a very complete toast list was gone through before the return-trip was made.

The Official Souvenir of the occasion contains the following message from the Minister of Railways:—