MAIN TRUNK LINE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1929, Page 3

MAIN TRUNK LINE

NEW TYPE OF LOCOMOTIVE. AUCKLAND, January 7. The first of three new locomotive* for tho New Zealand Railways arrived from England by the Northumberland, which is at present at Auckland. The engine will he taken to Wellington ’lor assembly at the Hutt Valley workshops. Known as the. Garrett type of locomotive, these engines will he used on the Main Trunk line from Taihnfle northward as general utility engines. ~hey will he employed on both goods and passenger trains. Their power is two and a half times that oi the ordinary express engine now in use. The main reason for importing the engines is their adaptability for cuivos on hilly runs. They are so constructed that they can negotiate any of the curves on the Main Trunk line with ease. It is not intended to expedite the present time-table 'tor trains. The Garrett engine is 70ft in length and has a working weight ol 1-10 tons. It has a maximum speed ol 50 miles an hour on New Zealand lines. I hi* grate area is 58 square tcot, and is ol such capacity that it. cannot Ik* manually fired, so mechanical stokers are fitted. The engine is superheated. Each locomotive costs about £II.OOO in the shops, exclusive of reassembling and transport costs.