XN000022-1975-06-22 — Page 2

SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 1975.

KCR DEVISED TRIPLE TRACTION UNIT

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THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY HAS SCORED A SUCCESS IN BOOSTING THE POWER OF ITS LOCOMOTIVE FLEET TO HANDLE HEAVIER FREIGHT TRAINS FROM CHINA.

THIS WAS ACHIEVED BY COUPLING THREE DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES WHICH CAN DEVELOP A COMBINED MAXIMUM OF 3,900 HORSE POWERS · THE LARGEST OUTPUT EVER PRODUCED ON LOCAL RAILWAY.

THE TRIPLE LOCOMOTIVE TRACTION IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE LOCOMOTIVE FLEET AND PARTICULARLY TO PROVIDE .. ADDITIONAL POWER TO OPERATE OIL TRAINS FROM CHINA.

THE SUCCESS HAS BROUGHT ABOUT AFTER MONTHS OF TRIALS BY KCR ENGINEERS TO PERFECT THE NEW TRACTION DEVICE WHICH IS OPERATED BY A SINGLE CREW.

THE SYSTEM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES INSTALLED ON THE SECOND AND THIRD LOCOMOTIVES.

OPERATING IN THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE, THE CREW CAN CONTROL THE OTHER TUO TRACTION UNITS VIA TRANSMISSION OF MANEUVER SIGNALS.

REVEALING THE NEW DEVICE TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KOWLOON- CANTON RAILWAY, MR, REGINALD GREGORY SAID, THE CHINESE RAILWAY AUTHORITIES HAVE PERMITTED OUR NEW TRACTION UNITS TO CROSS THE BORDER TO PULL HEAVIER AND LONGER FREIGHT TRAINS FROM SHUM CHUN,+

+HOWEVER, HE SAID, +DUE TO OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON OUR RAILWAY LINE - MAINLY SINGLE TRACKING, SHORT PASSING LOOPS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF LOCCHOTIVE FLEET - IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE TRIPLE TRACTION HERE UNTIL THE DOUBLE TRACKING IS INTRODUCED ON A SCALE MUCH FURTHER NORTH THAN THAT BETWEEN SHATIN AND HUNG HOM.

+BUT WHEN NEED ARISES, WE USE A SLIGHTLY MODIFIED DEVICE DOUBLE TRACTION UNIT - TO HAUL HEAVIER FREIGHT TRAINS TO ECONOMISE MANPOWER.+ ADDED MR. GREGORY.

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