2,000 letre hot water cylinders, and various castings of iron, bronze and aluminium, etc. Additionally the workshops also manufactured railway switches and turnouts.
83.
Statistical statements relating to analyses of train and locomotive running, fuel oil expenses, consumption of lubricants and the cost of repairing locomotives, carriages and wagons will be found in Appendices XII to XV while the classification of rolling stock is shown in Appendices XVI to XX.
CIVIL ENGINEERING
84.
The first supply of the heavier UIC 54 rail (54 kilogrammes per metre) was delivered at the end of 1976 and a contract let for the production of concrete sleepers. It was expected that delivery of these would start in May, 1977.
85.
Two teams of welders were trained during March by a representative from Thermit Welding (GB) Ltd. and a start made on track welding. Initially welding was confined to platform lines at Hung Hom Terminus, and then proceed- ed to the new up line between Mong Kok and Kowloon Tong where track was welded into 108 feet lengths. The new oil siding at Fo Tan was welded into long lengths and although laid with the older 95 lb. rail, with concrete sleepers it was the first section of track of modern construction and will be the standard in future.
86.
Authority was received during the year to reballast the whole of the railway to a greater depth over a period of five years in conjunction with the adoption of heavier track. The commencement of this work was delayed due to difficulties with the acquisition of land and delays in the completion of the double tracking project, but is hoped that the work will start during mid-1977.
87.
A submission was made for supplementary provision under the track reballasting programme for the premature renewal of one mile of track each year in conjunction with the ballasting work, to enable the existing track to be raised to a higher standard before full double tracking is introduced.
88.
Authority had been received for the purchase of an ultra-sonic rail testing machine which will be purchased in 1977/78 and two members of the staff will be trained to operate it. This will enable cracks in rails to be detected before they become visible to the naked eye and so increase the safety of the railway and reduce traffic delays.
89.
The increased frequency of traffic makes the time available for track maintenance during the day limited and the periods for possession during the night are reduced. This reduces the efficiency of track mainten- ance work and the increased traffic causes heavier wear. Authority will be sought to obtain a tamping machine for packing and lining the track. This will become more important when the heavier track is extensively in use.
90.
Following the derailment near bridge No. 9 on 20th March, 1977, it was agreed that in future all permanent way work involved in new projects and affecting running lines would be carried out by K.C.R. staff and
15
URBAN COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES
REFERENCE LIBRARY
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