R6 -
Underframes arrived late in July and accordingly the Carriage Stock was not available till the end of September. Owing to the prospect of an early opening for through traffic to Canton and the conditions of the Working Agreement with the Chinese Section, an extra Engine of the same type as the existing one has been ordered and eight more coaches. The financial transaction is explained in the notes of the Estimate. The scarcity of stock has made itself felt since opening for traffic. It is not possible at present to lay up either Engines or Coaches for an overhaul and consequently the stock must suffer. It is expected that on opening for through traffic two express trains up and two down will be run in addition to local ones.
Plant.
All the Construction Plant and Stores have now been brought into the Hung Hom Depôt from the line or from the recent Depôt at Tai Kok Tsui. The plant is in good condition and details are given as to its pricing in the Estimate.
The Railway was opened for traffic on the 1st October. It would be out of place to give anything like a detailed report on a three months working but it is interesting to note that after making allowances for the first rush of excursionists, the traffic settled down to a steady third class traffic. A launch service was instituted to Sha U Chung, with very good results and the passenger traffic is steadily increasing. So far but little goods traffic has offered and indeed it could hardly have been expected. A Flag Station was opened at Taipo Market on the beginning of November and since then the addition of a siding for goods has been productive of good results. There is a steady passenger traffic to Lowu, and although the launch is still running but few passengers come down to Hongkong that way notwithstanding the difference in fares. Information supplied by the District Officer, Taipo, goes to show that there is a steady going backwards and forwards between Sha Tau Kok and Sam Chun, and as this will materially increase the receipts on the Main Line, it is proposed to lay a two-foot gauge from Fan Ling to Sha Tau Kok, using material which is now available from Construction and laying the rails on the new road. From about the Fifth mile from Fan Ling towards Sha Tau Kok there is a good deal of heavy work to be done on the Road and it will be some time before this small line can be carried out. There is no doubt it will prove successful, and eventually be continued to Castle Peak.
The earnings for the three months after opening have been $26,839.02 Coaching and $7,141.31 Goods. This latter has however been mostly material for the Chinese Section. As only $20,000 was estimated in June, 1909, for the earnings for six months, the fact that the earnings are in excess of this in the three months is encouraging. The usual Statements are appended hereto.
The final account now submitted shows that after making the necessary transfers and adjustments, there is a net saving on the total of the Revised Estimate for 1910 of $74,566.11. The excesses
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R6 -
Underframes arrived late in July and accordingly the Carriage Stock was not available till the end of September. Owing to the prospect of an early opening for through traffic to Canton and the conditions of the Working Agreement with the Chinese Section, an extra Engine of the same type as the existing one has been ordered and eight more coaches. The financial transaction is explained in the notes of the Estimate. The scarcity of stock has made itself felt since opening for traffic. It is not possible at present to lay up either Engines or Coaches for an overhaul and consequently the stock must suffer. It is expected that on opening for through traffic two express trains up and two down will be run in addition to local There will sure to be a good deal of excursion and tourist special traffic and it would be utterly impossible to maintain anything like an efficient train service with the present stock.
ones.
Plant.
All the Construction Plant and Stores have now been brought in to the Hung Hom Depôt from the line or from the recent Depôt at Tai Kok Tsui. The plant is in good condition and details are given as to its pricing in the Estimate.
It
The Railway was opened for traffic on the 1st Octeber. would be out of place to give anything like a detailed report on a three months working but it is interesting to note that after making allowances for the first rush of excursionists, the traffic settled down to a steady third class traffic. A launch service was instituted to Sha U Chung, with very good results and the passenger traffic is steadily increasing. So far but little goods traffic has offered and indeed it could hardly have been expected. A Flag Station was opened at Taipo Market on the beginning of November and since then the addition of a siding for goods has been productive of good results. There is a steady passenger traffic to Lowu, and although the launch is still running but few passengers come down to Hongkong that way notwithstanding the difference in fares. Information supplied by the District Officer, Taipo, goes to show that there is a steady going backwards and forwards between Sha Tau Kok and Sam Chun, and as this will materially increase the receipts on the Main Line, it is proposed to lay a two foot gauge from Fan Ling to Sha Tau Kok, using material which is now available from Construction and laying the rails on the new road. From about the Fifth mile from Fan Ling towards Sha Tau Kok there is a good deal of heavy work to be done on the Road and it will be some time before this small line can be carried out. There is no doubt it will prove successful, and eventually be continued to Castle Peak.
The earnings for the three months after opening have been $26,839.02 Coaching and $7,141.31 Goods. This latter has however been mostly material for the Chinese Section. As only $20,000 was estimated in June, 1909, for the earnings for six months, the fact that the earnings are in excess of this in the three months is encouraging. The usual Statements are appended hereto.
The final account now submitted shows that after making the necessary transfers and adjustments, there is a net saving on the total of the Revised Estimate for 1910 of $74,566.11. The excesses
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