FLOOD-LIGHT TEST

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 10

FLOOD-LIGHT TEST

New Railway Tracks at Wellington SIX 120-FEET TOWERS Excellent Vision From 1000Watt Lamps There is to be plenty of light in the Wellington railway yards of the future The manner in which the tracks between the new railway station in Bunny Street and the junction of the lines near the Hutt Road will be illu minated could be judged by a test of the first of the flood-lighting towers, which was carried out by the departmental electrical engineers last evening. This tower, erected alongside the new double tracks about 50 yards to the north of the Davis Street intersection, is an impressive structure of angle-iron imported from England in parts or sections ready lor erection. The square of the tower itself is 6 feet, and it rests on a solid concrete base about 8 feet square. The tower is 120 feet in height, and above that again is the lamp platform. The lights are exactly 123* feet from the ground level. Range of 500 Yards. At present only two of the 1000 wait lamps, are in position on the southeastern side of the tower, and it is estimated that the range of these powerful lamps—which are fitted with visors and brilliant reflectors —is about 500 yards. Two other lamps of similar power are to be placed on the northwestern side, so that there will be light from four 1000-watt lamps directed down upon the tracks. This, however, is not the limit of light capable of being shed from these towers, as each platform can be fitted with 16 1000-watt lamps if necessity arises for such brilliance. Six towers in all are to be provided under the scheme between Bunny Street station and the Hutt Road, and the lamps, which are adjustable, can be so adjusted that the power of the light over the tracks will be almost even. The size of the lamps can be judged from the fact that each lamp weighs 831 b. Highest in New Zealand. This flood light tower is the highest in New Zealand. The old tower over the locomotive shed at Thorndon is only 80 feet in height. Visors are provided for each lamp so that their light will not be seen from the adjacent harbour front. The great advantage of these towers, which will be fed by underground wires, is that the confusing multiplicity of low lights and the overhead wirev which serve them can be dispensed with altogether.