1947-1948 — Page 11

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Several big longitudinal cracks were found on top of Gill's Cutting near Taipo Market in February, 1948, where the cutting had been originally demolished during the hostilities in 1941. Work on the removal of this loose earth commenced in March.

45. The following permanent way renewals were carried out during the year.

1.

Particulars.

Sleepers.

Ordinary timber sleepers Bridge & crossing timbers

Concrete sleepers (2nd hand)

3,893 pcs.

167

74

""

2.

Ballast.

2" Granite

3.

Rails.

1,502 cu. yds.

85-lbs. B.S. (new)

85-lbs. B.S. (2nd hand)

4.

Points and Crossings.

Crossings (new)

(2nd hand)

Switches (new)

(2nd hand)

""

Nil.

37 lengths

1 set

1

1

1

,,

""

""

46. The sidings at Hung Hom Praya were moved 20 feet centre to centre in order to give sufficient clearance for the jib of the Railway 65 ton crane to turn round. Hitherto, the maximum distance between centres of sidings had been 15 feet, and this had proved insufficient for the jib to traverse when unloading and loading heavy lifts in this area.

The surface of the fish-siding platform at Kowloon Station Yard was completely relaid. It had been badly damaged by heavy army equipment, and the loading of heavy materials both during and after the war.

47. Bridges.

With the exception of the 100 feet span bridges at Taipo and Shum Chun all steel bridges on the British Section were scraped and painted with tar.

The following bridge equipment, forwarded to this Railway from India, were fabricated in the Hung Hom Locomotive Yard:-

I set Callendar Hamilton

100 ft. Thro' span

60 ft. Thro' span

1

U.C.R.B.

3 sets

""

1 set

""

40 ft. Thro' span 60 ft. Launching Nose.

The Railway Piers at Kowloon and Taipo were overhauled and repaired, as many of the timber deckings and fenders had been looted during the occupation and several of the others had rotted owing to lack of maintenance.