MADE IN AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 228, 5 March 1915, Page 3

MADE IN AMERICA.

rail\vayt>epartment's new LOCOMOTIVES. ' DETAILS OF TH ENEW TYPE. The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Star understands that the ten Baldwin engines, contracted to be delivered in New Zealand by the Burnham-Williams Company, of Philadelphia, have been completed, ad but owing to the dilUeulty In securing steamers from the United States to Now Zealand at present, they have not yet been shipped. Tile locomotives cost A'47SO each anil are of the simple type, with superheater on the Schmidt system, the superheater being fitted in the extended suioke-box. The ordinary working pressure is IGOlbs to the square inch, hut the boiler is designed to work at 1751b5, which will provide a good reserve for exceptional occasions. The Railway Review publishes details of the engines, showing that in general appearance, they resemble the "Q" Amorican engines, which are being used with good results on the South island main line, but they embody a number of improvements, chief among them being a coal and water carrying capacity exceeding anything yet provided for use ou the New Zealand railways. The tender weighing 34 tons, in working trim instead of the usual 1700 gallons, lias a capacity of 35G0 gallons. Tlie big class A engines working in the South Island are able to carry 2250 gallons, lvhich greatly extends their working radius, but the locomotives to arrive shortly will, by reason of their improved coa] and water supply, be able to steam 50 per cent, further with a full load than the average New Zealand locomotive. In ration of adhesive weight to tractive power the new engines provide an improvement over class Q. Their tractive power is 20,.'1001b5, working at lfiOlbs pressure, and the weight distribution is so designed that they will be less liable than the average locomotive. to slip on greasy rails, Tn general design, adds The Review, the engines follow the American standard, except for some points of New Zealand locomotive practice which have been specified, including, of course, tile narrow gauge of "ft din. They will weigh Sfi tons (iewt., which brings them II little below the weight of the powerful X engines designed especially for the heavy haul between Taihape and Tauinarunui on the central section of the North Island 3tain Trim!; Railway. Their driving wheels of -Ift 1 I-Sin. render them suitable for moderate speed, and they will be generally used on goods or mixed trains rather than the expresses. Their lo'atUm will he in the North Island.