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RAILWAY.
The new Carpenter's Shop mentioned in last year's Annual Report was completed early in the year, and a siding from the yard laid into it.
The steelwork for the Extension to the Workshops arrived in June and the building was proceeded with at once and good pro- gress made.
Owing to extensive devoipment in the neighbourhood, it was decided to complete Bridge No. 4 situated at the second mile. This bridge spans a 100-foot main road on the skew and was designed to give a 60 feet clear span and two sidespans to provide for cause- ways of 10 to 15 feet each. The steelwork was ordered for double track, but only that for the main span arrived in time for the opening of the Railway. The sidespaus (comprising four 45 feet. single line spans) which had been lying in store for twelve years, were reconditioned and two were erected by the end of the year, and the line diverted over them. The remaining spans will be erected and the bridge completed in 1925.
The building of the two blocks of quarters for the Traffic Staff at Blackhead's Point mentioned in last year's Report was proceeded with, but not quite completed by the end of the year. They were ready for occupation by March lat this year.
The roof of one of the buildings taken over from the China Light & Power Company and used as a motor repair shop, was con- deinned and arrangements made for a new steel roof with northern lights to replace it. The old roof which leaked badly was unsafe in typhoon weather and was irreparable. This work was given to a local engineering firm and is expected to be completed early in 1925.
A siding was laid from Kowloon Station across the circulating area in front, to connect with the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company's premises. The siding, which is 273 feet long to the Company's boundary, is laid on concrete with two guard rails. An agreement was entered into with the Company regarding its cost and use.
In connection with the Harbour Improvements, it became necessary to alter the position of the submarine cables crossing to Kowloon, and four cable houses were built in the Kowloon Station south verandah to receive the terminals of the cables belonging to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, the China and Japan Telephone & Electric Company, the Military Authorities, and the Government. Permission was granted the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company to connect their cable with aerial lines over Railway lands onto their existing poles to Canton which follow the Railway from Mile 1).
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In view of frequent damage by typhoons to the Government and Railway telephone overhead wires alongside the Railway, it was decided to substitute an underground cable for the aerial wires, and a commencement was made during the year between Taipo and Taipo Market Stations.
Less attention was given to maintenance work on the Fanling Branch Line in anticipation of its being taken up by the end of the year, as mentioned in last year's Report, but progress with the new road has been delayed and more attention to the railway track may be necessary in 1925,
The four new 4-6-4 locomotives arrived during the year, one of the underframes however was very badly twisted and out of line. This was straightened with the aid of the new 85-ton crane.
The first of these locomotives, No. 9 arrived on May 19th and was erected forthwith and in steam by June 20th. No. 11 was completed on August 20th. and No. 12 on September 25th. No. 10 which had the twisted frame was not completed until December.
These engines have a much greater tractive force than the earlier ones, and so far we have experienced no trouble with them and are more than satisfied with their running performance.
The 5-ton Breakdown Crane arrived in the Colony at the end
of July and erection was immediately started and completed by October. The crane was employed in connection with the assemb- ling of No. 10 locomotive, for erecting bridge girders, and also on several occasions for loading and unloading heavy pieces of machinery from railway trucks.
Two new 4-4-0 type 2'-0" gange locomotives for the Fanling Branch arrived at the end of July and were put into service by the end of September. These locomotives will be handed over to the Public Works Department when the road to Sha Tau Kok is completed and the Railway closed down, and should prove very useful.
Very extensive repairs and work on Government motor vehicles were carried out during the year, in fact this department has grown so much since it was started that at times there is great difficulty in coping with the work. It was also handicapped for a considerable time owing to the necessity of rebuilding the roof over the Motor Repair Workshop.
In addition to the general motor repair work, the following
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