LEAD: Alarm as train speed triples

Trains have been given the green light to rumble through central Hastings at up to 80km/h, ringing alarm bells for city and retail officials.
KiwiRail said a speed restriction imposed on trains for the past couple of years had been lifted recently after upgrades to tracks were completed.
The temporary speed limit had been 25km/h but trains were now allowed to travel through at up to 80km/h.
KiwiRail officials said it was likely most operations would move through town at 50km/h.
The speedy trains had been noticed by Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers and shoppers who sent text messages of complaint to Hawke's Bay Today this week.
Cr Bowers said she would ask Hastings District Council and Hastings City Marketing to lobby KiwiRail for a voluntary 25km/h limit.
"My recollection was that the temporary speed was put in place because Hastings City Marketing was worried about the speed and danger to people," she said.
"We have trains going through the centre of the city and the edge of the town square, areas like the water fountain, where the danger is far greater than in other cities where the trains go through industrial areas."
Cr Bowers said there was also a noise issue and disruption to retailers, especially those trading on Russell St which abutted the railway track.
"It can be pretty hard to conduct business and so it's really a courtesy thing," she said.
"I thought they understood Hastings was a special case and they needed to take extra care."
Cr Bowers, who is on the Hastings City Marketing executive committee, said the train speed issue would be on the organisation's agenda next week.
"I live next to the railway lines and sometimes when the trains go past it does shake the house, but that is part of living here and what we accept," she said.
"It's just a matter of finding a way for everyone to get along."
KiwiRail confirmed the speed restriction had been lifted through Hastings city and the official speed was 80km/h. Previously, it had been 100km/h
"However, in practice, train drivers tend to travel at slower speeds through this area, for operational reasons," the company said.
"KiwiRail is very mindful of the concerns about train speeds through central Hastings but we do also remind people, as at all level crossings around the country, to take great care and obey all warning signals."
Between four and six trains per day travel through Hastings city during daytime hours. There are additional trains at night.