NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5327, 17 September 1928, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

PARTICULARS OF ROLLING STOCK. IMPROVEMENTS SINCE 1925. The Railways Statemen,t has just been issued by the Rt, Hm. J- G--7 Coates, Minister for Railways, and the following information regarding improvements and. additions to the rolling stock is contained therein :—- •At. January 1, 1925, the number of x on hand was 662. Since kjjli new locomotives have been ob*®ned as follows: Built by Messrs A. ■ and G. Price, 14 ; built by New Zealand railway workshops, 20 ; imported from Great Britain, 35 ; making a total of 69. In addition three locoin motives were taken oyer with the r Cape Foulwind line. Fifty-three locomotives have been written off, the total now on hand being 679. Three G.arratt locomotives;- of a powerful type are at present under • order. These will have a i total weight in working trim of 116 toyis, with a maximum axle-load pf 14 2-3 tons and a tractive effort of 51,5801 b. They are beingT provided with automatic stokers and feed-water hea.ters. Designs for an up-to-date shunting engine are in hand. An impr.ovemcint, in the headlights qf locomotives has been made by the provision qf Pyle National electric headlights : 110 locomotives have been fitted since 1925, making a total nqw fitted of 155. • Since the beginning of 1925, 64 cars and 41 brakel-vans, 112 bogie waggons, W' and 801 four-wheeled 1 waggcpis ha,ve '' been built in our workshops. In,clud; ed' in these is an improved type of sleeping-car; which is much appreciated by the travelling public. During the period 300 cars have been fitted with electric light. Prior to this only some 30 cars had been fitted. The number now stands at 330. With .the increasing, weights of cars stronger, axles are necessary, and; as a co.nsequelnee of this, improved bogies. These are being fitted a; opportunity* offers, and at the same time disk wheels 'of the rolled steel type, fitted with Gibson ring, attachments, arc; being' provided. 4 -