lengths of 95-lb. rails, 6,582 cubic yards of stone ballast and 7,506 sleepers were renewed during the year.
(b) Badly corroded or worn track components were renewed wherever necessary. During the year, some 1,536 pairs of fishplates, 7,381 fishbolts and 14,635 dogspikes were replaced and 45,480 Macbeth spikes were used in the main line inside Beacon Hill Tunnel and
on curves.
(c) For the purpose of restoring the rails to their proper inclination,
the rail seats on the sleepers of the main line curves at Miles 10 and 114 were adjusted by adzing.
(d) The expansion gaps of the rail joints in the main line from the north face of Beacon Hill Tunnel to Mile 61, at the north point of University Station and on the curve at Mile 21 were adjusted. A total of 4,320 rail anchors was added or replaced along the line.
(e) Four turnouts were renewed at Kowloon, University, Tai Po Kau and Tai Po Market Stations and four crossings at Kowloon, Sha Tin and Tai Po Market Stations. One additional crossover was installed between No. 3 and Praya Roads at Hung Hom.
43. Formation and Line Protection. The embankments and cuttings along the line were well maintained. Some 3,600 sq. yards of stone pitching on the sea walls between University and Tai Po Kau Stations were re-pointed, 5,640 cubic yards of earth were sent out by ballast trains to repair the shoulders of embankments along the line, and some 1,170 linear feet of cement concrete channel were constructed at Mile
at Hung Hom.
44. Signalling. The gantries, brackets and arms of all signals along the line and the point indicators of all points were overhauled and painted. Badly corroded component parts were renewed where necessary.
45. Tunnels. All tunnels were inspected and maintained in good order.
46. Bridges. Work on bridges was concerned mainly with:
(i) renewal or strengthening of corroded components on steel bridges; (ii) strengthening of the old masonry bridges; and
(iii) application of a protective coating to parts of steel bridges subject
to attack by corrosive discharge.
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