WAY AND STRUCTURES
45. Maintenance. Way and structures were maintained to a good standard during the year.
46. Although the problem of corrosive discharge from cold storage wagons from the Chinese Section remained a matter of concern for the maintenance staff, there was some improvement in the situation. Firstly, the percentage of defective cold storage wagons sent over to the British Section was found to be lower than that in the previous year. Secondly, there was some indication that consideration was given by the Chinese Section to introducing mechanically operated refrigerator-wagons to replace cold storage wagons, thereby eliminating the problem altogether. Despite these improvements, measures taken to protect the metallic components of the track, signalling systems and bridges were still necessary. Where these components were damaged beyond repair, replacements had to be carried out. The use of tar-epoxy surface coating on steel bridges and the inner rails of sharp curves was continued and the result was found to be satisfactory.
47. Track. The following works were carried out during the year: (a) The main line track was maintained to a good standard. All
fishplates were carefully inspected and greased. Some 1,171 lengths of 95-lb. rails, 4,604 cubic yards of stone ballast and 11,774 timber sleepers were renewed during the year.
(b) Badly corroded or worn track components were renewed wherever necessary. During the year, some 1,318 pairs of fish- plates, 6,290 fishbolts and 9,970 dogspikes were replaced and 36,350 Macbeth spikes used.
(c) For the purpose of restoring the rails to their proper inclination, the rail seats on the sleepers of the main line curves between Mile 10 and Mile 133 and at University Station were adjusted by adzing.
(d) The expansion gaps of the rail joints in the main line at Mong Kok Station, from Mile 9 to Mile 10, from Mile 10 to Mile 114, from Mile 17 to Mile 18 and from Mile 20 to Mile 21 were adjusted. A total of 1,120 rail anchors were added.
(e) The scissor-crossover at the Holts Wharf level crossing was completely renewed. Five turnouts were renewed at Kowloon,
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