OIL-BURNING ENGINES.

Chronicle (Levin), 21 June 1946, Page 8

OIL-BURNING ENGINES.

WELLINGTON, June 20. The curtftilment of railway services through the coal shortage has brought up -again the question of oil-lmniing I'oconiotives, but inquiries today revcaled that, alithougli conversion of two K c.lass loeomotives to oil-buming is proceeding, the engines will probably not. take up running until about the end of the year, An English company, although unable to supplv the equipnient, provided Ihe Railway Department with designs of an oil-burner conversion so that the work could be done in New Zealaud railway workshops, eonsequently the boilers, tanks, filters, heaters and other fittings required must be made in New Zealaud. The firebricks Jiad to be ordered from overseas. Work is proceeding on the manufacture of the equipnient required, but no start has yet been made on the actual engines to be converted. It is probable that their iirst use will be on 'the lines between Auckland and Frankton and large oil tanks inust be erected at both points, bring'ing up the additional question of the haulage of oil to Frankton. The c-onyerted engines. will probably burn half a ton of oil, instead of a ton of coal, but the eost will be trebled.