A BRITISH DEVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1931, Page 2

A BRITISH DEVICE

EQUIPMENT OF TWENTY ENGINES.

WELLIGNTON, January 16.

With the double object of economising in the consumption of coal on locomotives, and enabling a larger variety of grades of New Zealand coal to be used, the Railway Department is embarking on a large-scale experiment in the use of a British invention known as the Danger, which is claimed greatly to improve combustion. The Hon. W. A. Vcitch, Minister of Railways, stated that the principal feature of the invention is a steam jet which plays into the firebox of the locomotive. The device was tried out m New Zealand some months ago, and appeared to fulfil the claims that it will eliminate sparks, and so greatly improve the combustion of the coal that it is possible to use a lower grade in the locomotives, while at the same time obtaining a lower consumption. “As the. trials on a limited scale proved so successful,” added Mr Veitcli, “the Department has been authorised to equip twenty’ locomotives with the Danger device, which will shortly arrive from Britain. The engines so fitted will be employed on the most important trains, so as to give the system a more comprehensive trial under service conditions, and if the results arc equal to our preliminary trials, all locomotives will be equipped. The test is to last three months, and there is every probability of substantial economies resulting. If a limber proportion of low-grade coals can be used, the haulage expenses on our coal supplies will be greatly reduced, and a larger range of New Zealand coal used in the Department’s services.”