RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 11

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

SAFETY OF AXLES ALL HUMANLY POSSIBLE IS DONE REASSURING PARTICULARS In reference to some recent com-, ments made by tho Press regarding the condition of the New Zealand Kailway Department’s passenger rolling stock, the following particulars ah Aflld prove reassuring, says the “Railway Magazine.” It has, for instanoe, been suggested that expert advice might be obtained concerning the safety of passenger car axles. During the whole period of operation of tho New Zealand Government Railways onlv three axle fractures have occurred under passenger vehicles. The following statement shows the average passenger train miles per axle fiacture for nine years ending March 31-st, 1926: Total passenger train miles, 24,823,210. Axle fractures under passenger vehicles, 2. Passenger train miles per axle fracture. 12.411,605. 3*o ensure that reliable axles arc used under rolling stock the department observes stringent rules. When placing orders, an approved list of manufacturers, consisting onlv of British firms who have a world-wide reputation for producing a reliable article, is worked on. That axles be manufactured in accordance with British standard specifications is always enforced, and usually inspection is made by the department’s inspecting engineer in Britain. EXPRESS SERVICE PRECAUTIONS Tn the ease of passenger vehicles, ether special precautions are taken. <l> The standard axle used main line cars and vans has 7in x 3} n journal and provides an ample margin of safety for vehicles of their c-eight. (2) No axle over 15 years of age is olaced tinder main line passenger rollin:'- stock. (3) No axles, the journals of which have been scored and require ro-turn-M 'g as the result of hot-hoxes, are !?wr<l in service on express or mail A limit of wear for journals is ect,

and no axle, tlie wear on which has reached this limit is allowed to continue in service on any vehicle. It is very seldom necessary to remove axles on this account, however, because they are withdrawn through age long before the journals are worn down to the limit. The department fully realises its responsibilities in providing safe transit for its customers, and all that is humanly possible is done to ensure that rolling stock is in satisfactory running condition to carry the valuable freight with which it is entrusted.