{
1
the line. Initially, this would serve only the section between Hung Hom and Sha Tin and be linked to the existing colour light system installed at Kowloon Station. As the double track project extends to Lo Wu, the whole line, including any branch lines envisaged for the future, would be signalled by this system, which, apart from being more efficient, would require less manpower to operate and allow train movements to be controlled from one central point, the Train Control Centre at Hung Hom, instead of the present fragmentary control exercised by individual stations along the line.
18.
Preliminary work on the construction of a Marshalling Yard at Lo Wu was started during the year. Barring unforeseen delays the project is expected to be completed in early 1978, at which time freight trains, currently marshalled in the Chinese Section, would be marshalled in the new yard.
19.
Construction of freight sidings at Fo Tan for unloading diesel oil and dry goods from China also started during the year and was expected to be completed in early 1977. Since China began exporting diesel oil to Hong Kong in August, 1974, owing to the absence of a suitable yard for unloading the oil, the siding along the waterfront of the Goods Yard of Kowloon Station has been used for unloading into barges, pending the construction of the siding at Fo Tan. When completed this siding would be used primarily for unloading oil, the import of which has risen consi- derably. In 1974/75, the revenue derived from the transportation of this fuel was around one million dollars, but this has risen to three million dollars in 1975/76. In addition to oil unloading the siding will also be used for dry goods.
20.
The Ho Man Tin Siding, which was formerly part of the line to Tsim Sha Tsui, was brought into use for unloading livestock at the beginning of 1976. Much of the livestock from China, which previously were unloaded at Mong Kok Station are now unloaded here. The addition of the siding helped to increase the livestock imported in Hong Kong by rail. An expansion of the sidings will take place with the addition of further tracks during 1976.
21.
To cope with the increasing volume of freight from China, two additional locomotives were ordered from the United States to join the existing fleet of ten. They are expected to arrive in early 1977 and will be designed for multiple unit operation and fast starting. Unlike the smaller locomotives for which a spare bogie had been provided, the heavier locomotives are occasionally idle in the workshops when attention was necessary to one of the bogies. To enable the locomotive to remain in service while the defective bogie was being repaired, authority was sought for the purchase of a spare bogie. Two spare bogies for carriages were similarly sought to enable carriages with a defective bogie to remain in service while the defective bogie was repaired.
22.
An order was placed during the year for the purchase of a wheel lathe to replace the existing one which had been in service for over 25 years. The new lathe is expected to arrive in early 1977.
4'