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8. Three special trains were run to and from Canton for tourists ex the S.S. "Empress of Australia" and the S.S. “Belgenland".
9. Four special trains were run to and from Fanling, each with accommodation for 800 men, during the visit to the Colony of the Japanese Fleet.
10. The usual special trains were also run for the Military Authorities during the camping season.
11. Arrangements were made for the permanent composi- tion of local trains whereby considerable savings were effected in marshalling and shunting.
12. Owing to a decided increase in the number of second class through passengers it was arranged, in consultation with the Chinese Section, to improve the second class seating accom- modation on the through trains in the coaches of both Sections, and also to improve the lighting of both second and third class -coaches.
13. The Staff Rules and Rules for the Public were com- pletely revised and reprinted. So also were the General Tariff and Tariff Regulations, in collaboration with the Chinese Section.
ENGINEERING.
14. The Fanling Branch Line between Fanling and Sha Tau Kok, 7 miles, 2 ft. gauge, was finally condemned as un- necessary since the new motor road to Sha Tau Kok was com- pleted. The line was therefore closed on April 1st and com- pletely dismantled by the end of June. Much of the permanent way and rolling stock from this line was disposed of later.
15. The only new works of significance were in connection with improvement to Taipo Market Station providing for a proper passenger platforin, a goods siding and dock, and the use of the loop line for all stopping trains. The work was com- pleted and the new arrangements brought into use by the end of the year.
16. 5,070 reinforced concrete sleepers were made depart- mentally; the cost of manufacture including supervision and all charges, was very much lower than previous contract prices.
17. 2,820 concrete sleepers, 431 wooden sleepers, and 78 crossing and bridge timbers were required to replace worn out timbers in the track.
18. 35 reinforced concrete Kilometre posts were cast departmentally in the concrete sleeper depot, and will be erected along the line early in 1929.
19. Reinforced concrete slabs were laid on the gantries of Bridges Nos. 10, 25 and 33 in substitution of wooden planks.
20. The overhead bridge at Gascoigne Road, the foot-bridge at Holt's Crossing, Bridge No. 30 at Taipo, and the steelwork of Taipo Pier were scraped and painted.
21. The reinforced concrete wharf at Kowloon Station was twice damaged in the beginning of the year by the collision of launches. The damages were duly repaired.
22. To facilitate coach washing, 475 feet of wooden gantry in the Carriage Shed No. 2, Loco Yard, were widened.
23. The last two bays of the Running Shed roofs were stripped and replaced with asbestos cement sheeting; this com- pletes the whole of Running Shed roof.
24. The French tile roofs of Class "A" and "B" European quarters were dismantled and substituted with asbestos cement corrugated sheeting.
25. An accommodation road bridge of 28 feet span was found necessary at Mile 154. Work was commenced in Novem- ber and will be completed early in 1929.
26. The Manager's House, "Parkside", Kowloon was taken over from the railway department for use as a Government school.
27. The principal item of track maintenance involved the relaying of Beacon Hill Tunnel (2408 yards) with new 85-lb flat- bottomed rails, found necessary owing to a number of rail breakages suddenly occurring. There appears to be an abnormal amount of rail wear in this tunnel on account of the severe grades and damp patches.
28. No damage was caused by typhoons, or storm water.
LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK.
29. Main line locomotives Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and shunting locomotive No. 14 were giveň a general overhaul. No. 1 locomo- five was stripped right down and rebuilt. New axles were fitted to the driving wheels. No. 2's boiler was restayed and retubed. No. 3 had new cylinders and pistons fitted. Extensive repairs were carried out on four other locomotives.
30. During the year a great deal of boiler repair work was necessary, the result of bad water obtained from Canton for the return journeys. The boilers of two locomotives were obliged to be changed, one being a new one and the other a reconditioned one. Our spare boilers enabled these repairs to be carried out in the minimum of time.
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