TRAFFIC OVER THE RIMUTAKA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11487, 21 January 1903, Page 5

TRAFFIC OVER THE RIMUTAKA.

PROVIDING MORE ACCOMMODATION.

(SPECIAL TO*"THK PRESS.")

WELLINGTON, January 20. Extensive alterations are being made at the Rimutaka summit, with the object of providing more accommodation. Additional siding accommodation is being made to hold the number of waggons required for the traffic, and also to obviate the delays that have in the past necessarily takes place when more than two engines -are. ,sed to haul a heavy train U}» the big bill. If four engines a,re employed at least twenty minuteg is * Occupied in disentangling* them and the train under way, either for the Wafrnrapa or Wellington. But by tbs : rearrangement and extension of the sidings provision will be made for reducing the time now occupied in taking the Fell engines off or putting them on to th-j trains. This involves a n#w apprcac'i to the summit froflt the WeJApgton end. and when the work is completed it is anticipated tlwt ample piova?iun will b* made for nil the traffic that its now hauler! over the Rimutaka. The fa uew approach passes a crass a, ti* gully, which ne«wsitat«B the formation rtf a heavy embankment, and also passe.? through a bluff involving a heavy' embankment and considerable cutting. A large number of men is employed, and it is expected that the work w!':l be completed in about six weeks' time. In connection with the re-arrangement of the sidings, the (system of interlocking will be installed,* and will greatly add to the safety of the working. Aboui two years ago a large expenditure was incurred at Cross's Cieek, increasing th? siding accommodation. This has proved very satisfnctoiv, and wh°n the alterations at the summit are completed th© facilities for dealing with the traffic will, it is anticipated, be a.l that can be desired. The traffic over the Kimutaka has be?n exceptionally heavy for some time past The two heavy goods -"B" enginew, which, were converted into tank engines at Aldington for working the incline, luivr proved successful., and ate doing work equal to that deae by the Fell engines. At the pieeent 'time there are no i*w*" than nine engines available for, "working the incline—a number far in advance of any previous record. Most of the trains are run by four locomotives. The max: mum load for an engine is 65 tons, the oidinar}- load being 60 tons. The average amount of haulage over the Rimutaka uiiice the beginning of th? year Ls about 1400 tons per day, and the heaviest day's work totalled 1&0O tuna.