19. The punctuality of trains has deteriorated, the average minutes late per train being 3.01, compared with 2.29 the previous year. Punctuality returns on the British Section reflect the ability of the through express trains to keep time, and the decline in performance can be attributed to the inferior timekeeping of the expresses during the last eight months of the year, when only 58.52% were on time, compared with 84.46% for the first four months, and 85.91% for the previous year.
20. Running statistics have been affected adversely since May by the loss of through train mileage hauled by the three superheated "C" class express locomotives. These engines have exercised a marked influence on general operating efficiency, as they were not only extremely economical to run, but were employed on a service providing a good "user". In the circumstances, the less favourable figures obtained this year of 105.4 engine miles per locomotive per day, 8.11 train miles per engine hour, and a train-engine mileage ratio of 66.26%, are regarded as satisfactory. A substantial reduction in the price of coal caused the running costs per steam train mile to drop from 65.6 cents to 58.8 cents; or 13.4%. Poorer results will be obtained next year, as no terminal to terminal express train haulage will be performed, and the cost of coal will be much higher.
21. Coal consumption has risen from 72.47 to 82.21 lbs. per train mile, due principally to the relinquishment of through express haulage after the first four months of the year and, to a smaller extent, to the increased weight of through fast trains. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the consumption of coal on express trains between Kowloon and Shum Chún increased from 48.56 to 107.91 lbs. per train mile when this Section's Baltic tank locomotives were employed.
22. The savings in running costs, which could be effected by the purchase of a more suitable type of locomotive to haul through passenger trains over the British Section, would amount, under present conditions, to approximately 5% of the initial outlay. This is not an economical proposition, although the position will need to be reviewed if and when the service develops appreciably, and all haulage north of Shum Chun is performed by the Chinese Section.
23. A feature of the year under review has been the inauguration of quarterly conferences at which the principals, as well as the sub-departmental heads, of the combined Administrations are present. The meetings are to be held in Kowloon and Canton alternately. The first of these conferences took place on November 10th, and a good deal of ground was covered. Decisions which could only be reached by the exercise of mutual give and take were made expeditiously, and became effective on the formal exchange of confirmatory correspondence.
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19. The punctuality of trains has deteriorated, the average minutes late per train being 3.01, compared with 2.29 the previous year. Punctuality returns on the British Section reflect the ability of the through express trains to keep time, and the decline in performance can be attributed to the inferior timekeeping of the expresses during the last eight months of the year, when only 58.52% were on time", compared with 84.46% for the first four months, and 85.91% for the previous
year.
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20. Running statistics have been affected adversely since May by the loss of through train mileage hauled by the three superheated "C" class express locomotives. These engines have exercised a marked influence on general operating efficiency, as they were not only extremely economical to run, but were em- ployed on a service providing a good "user". In the circum- stances, the less favourable figures obtained this year of 105.4 engine miles per locomotives per day, 8.11 train miles per engine hour, and a train-engine mileage ratio of 66.26%, are regarded as satisfactory. A substantial reduction in the price of coal caused the running costs per steam train mile to drop from 65.6 cents to 58.8 cents; or 13.4%. Poorer results will be obtained next year, as no terminal to terminal express train haulage will be performed, and the cost of coal will be much higher.
21. Coal consumption has risen from 72.47 to 82.21 lbs. per train mile, due principally to the relinquishment of through express haulage after the first four months of the year and, to a smaller extent, to the increased weight of through fast trains. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the consumption of coal on express trains between Kowloon and Shum Chún increased from 48.56 to 107.91 lbs. per train mile when this Section's Baltic tank locomotives were employed.
22. The savings in running costs, which could be effected by the purchase of a more suitable type of locomotive to haul through passenger trains over the British Section, would amount, under present conditions, to approximately 5% of the initial outlay. This is not an economical proposition, although the position will need to be reviewed if and when the service develops appreciably, and all haulage north of Shum Chun is performed by the Chinese Section.
23. A feature of the year under review has been the inauguration of quarterly conferences at which the principals, as well as the sub-departmental heads, of the combined. Administrations are present. The meetings are to be held in Kowloon and Canton alternately. The first of these conferences took place on November 10th, and a good deal of ground was covered. Decisions which could only be reached by the exercise of mutual give and take were made expeditiously, and became effective on the formal exchange of confirmatory correspondence.
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