THE RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1920, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS.

NEW ROLLING STOCK. BRITISH TENDERS ACCEPTED. GERMANY SEEKS THE ORDER. By Taleerapli.—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. In the House this evening, Mr, Massey made a statement on the subject of increased rolling stock for the Dominion railways, lack of which has been giving jrroat inconvenience for some tiim; past. Attempts have been made from time to time to place orders in America, but until recently there have been no results. However, Mr. Massey was glad to be able now to inform the House that twelve tenders have been received from abroad for tho manufacture of -5 class "AIV locomotives for the New Zealand railways. Two of the tenders were from C-uiada, one from the United St-'.tes, one from Germany, one from South Australia, and seven from the United Kingdom. The prices range as high as £17,325. The contract is for delivery within twelve months, and all naterial used n the construction of the locomot; res must be up to the British standard specification. The successful tenderer is the North British Company, of Glasgow, the contract pric* being £i-.&iO per engine. The engine is the same tjpe as used on tho Main Triii.-k express trains between Wellington and Auckland, and weighs Si ton 3 15 cwt. in working trim. For the manufacture of 2500 eight-ton four-wheeled wagons, four tenders were received from British frms, four from th.> United States, one from Canada, and one from Germany, while one ilritish firm tendered for 250 wagons and another for 1000 wagons. With one exception the tenders- were subject to fluctuations in respect of both wages and material. The successful tenderer i 3 Cammell, Laird and Company. This is the only tenderer who quoted a firm price, their tender being £326 13s per wagon. The total cost of the 25 locomotives is £308,750, and that of the 2500 wagons is £814,125, a total of £l,122,575 (exclusive of freight and the cost of erection in New Zealand). The total estimated cost of the engines and wagons on the rails in running order in New Zealand will be £1,700,000. The Railway Department's experience of the manufactures of the North British Company and Cammell, Laird and Company has been satisfactory.

The new rolling stock, when to hand, will help materially in overcoming the difficulties the department is experiencing in respect of locomotive power and wagon capacity. Tenders are now beinp invited for the manufacture of 1000 additional wagons within the Dominion, and there are 140 engines, 40 carriages, 60 brake vans, and 625 wagons under construction in the Dominion at the present time. Unless unforeseen circumstances occur, it is hoped to have, the bulk of the new wagons on the rails in time for the ne:\t busy season-

lb is the intention of the department to send an officer to the United Kingdom to watch the construction of the rolling stock referred to, and also to acquire an insight into the up-to-date methods of working in the large manufacturing establishments in Great Britain. >