READY FOR TRIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 589, 15 February 1929, Page 11

READY FOR TRIAL

GARRETT LOCOMOTIVE FOR USE ON MAIN TRUNK Early next week the first of the new Garrett locomotives for use on the Main Trunk line will be given a trial run at Wellington. In all probability the first of the locomotives, will be run as far North as Te Kulti, and tests for speed .and curves will be made between there and Wellington. Mr. J. F. Mackley, locomotive engineer for the North Island railways, left for Wellington last evening, to be present at the trial runs. He will travel north on the locomotive. Three Garrett locomotives have now reached New Zealand. The first has been assembled at Lower Hutt, and is ready for her trials. The other two are being assembled and will be ready to take the rails In a week or two. The Garrett locomotives will be used on the heavier grades of the Main Trunk line. Their superior haulage power and speed will enable much greater loads to be taken over the heavy grades than are carried at present. It is anticipated that the running costs on the line ■will be considerably reduced. Mr. R. M. N. Whiteleg, general manager of Beyer, Peacock and CoManchester, England, makers of the Garrett engines, has written to Mr. Mackley stating that the engines which have been sent to New Zealand are the finest yet built by the firm, and the first to be fitted with mechanical stokers.

The firm is at present building some engines for the • South African railways. These will be the largest ever built in Great Britain, and the largest in operation outside the United States of America. They will each weigh 220 tons when in running order.