UPWARD TREND

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 14

UPWARD TREND

EXPANSION OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC IMPETUS TO WORKSHOP ACTIVITY [Pm United Push A.mocutiox.l WELLINGTON, June 16. In a report covering the activities of the New Zealand Railway Workshops, Air G. H. Mackley, General Manager of the Railways, says. The upward trend of traffic, both passenger and freight, makes necessary the replacement of a larger proportion than usual of equipment that has reached the end of a useful life. This has given an impetus to the shops’ activities, with the result that a number of men have been brought back into the department’s employment. The projected'visit of a member of the Royal Family this year will come at a time when, even in ordinary circumstances, the department is’called upon to carry its _ maximum traffic. Hence, in anticipation' of exceptionally heavy demands upon engine power and rolling stock in December and January, the whole programme of building and repairing of the locomotives, cars, and wagons nas been arranged to ensure that the largest possible number of vehicles will be available for the summer’s traffic.

Mr Mackley says that twelve “ K ” locomotives are already in service, and additional units to this fleet are being turned out at Hutt at the rate of one every six weeks, which rate will be maintained throughout the remainder of the current financial year. Coincident with these larger locomotives goes a programme of bridge strengthening and rolling stock improvements, which naturally gives additional employment, both within the department and among suppliers. of material.

Mr Maokley. also gave details of the work- to be completed at various shops this year. He announced that Hillside will' be occupied during the year with the ordinary programme of locomotive repairs, supplemented by additional assembly and. repair work due to , the transfer of a number of locomotives from the North to the South Island as a result of the construction and placing in traffic in the 1 North Island of the new “ K ” class engines. As a casting production shop for the South Island, Hillside will also participate in the building programme at Addington.