and Sha Tin (excluding Beacon Hill Tunnel) which had been newly constructed with the traditional lighter rails, to be modernised by mid 1981 to coincide with the opening of the new electrified service.
68.
Also, the first batch of the new UIC 54 turnouts was delivered and installed during the year under review in connection with the track improvement project. Basically they are made to the standards of British Railways and represent a big improvement over the designs previously used, particularly that of the switch tongue, in order to allow for much higher speeds. An example of these new turnouts can be found in Sheung Shui where a maximum speed of 72 k.p.h. can be run.
69.
A new technique was adopted during the year for laying in of turnouts, viz by prefabrication on site and laying in with cranes. This new technique not only enables more precision to be applied but also reduces the interference with traffic as a complete turnout can be laid in one night.
70.
An order was placed during the year for the purchase of an ultrasonic rail flaw detector to detect rail cracks which are not visible to the naked eye. Training of staff to use this equipment will commence shortly.
71.
A new railbus for the conveyance of men and materials was ordered in December 1977 and was eventually delivered in July 1978. This railbus is capable of hauling a trailer and is fitted with a crane and tipping body for conveyance and lifting of heavy equipment and materials.
72.
The small permanent way trolley which had been derelict for many years was overhauled and fitted with a new diesel engine to give the thermit welding gangs more mobility.
73.
A request was submitted to Government for the purchase of a tamping levelling and lining machine which will enable the maintenance of the new heavier tracks to be carried out more efficiently and to a higher and more consistent standard. It will also facilitate the implementation of the premature relaying programme.
74.
In the past, all trackworks in connection with track widening projects were undertaken by contractors under the supervision of the Railway Division of the Public Works Department. The board of enquiry investigating the derailment near Bridge No. 9 which occurred on 20th March, 1977 recommended, inter alia, that all trackworks affecting the running lines should in future be carried out by the permanent way staff of the Kowloon-Canton Railway in order to improve train safety. As a result, a request for additional staff to cope with this new responsibility had been submitted to Government for consideration.
75.
In connection with the development of Sha Tin New Town and other areas in the New Territories alongside the railway, civil engineering works were carried out adjacent to, over, and under the railway at a number of locations. Close liaison was maintained with the consulting engineers, Maunsell Consultants (Asia) Limited and the engineering staff of the Public Works Department regarding safety measures to be taken to safeguard the railway.
76.
Close liaison was also maintained with consultants working on the modernisation/electrification project of the Railway and with engineers of the Railway Division of the Public Works Department regarding the implementation of track widening projects.
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