1948-1949 — Page 12

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54. Carriages and Wagons. Nineteen carriages have been Two all given a general repair and painting during the year. steel old carriages were bought from Wagons-Lits and rebuilt to second class standard, being numbered 205 and 206. One second class carriage was totally damaged in the Pu Kut accident and compensation was recovered at its book value. The Department carried out the reconstruction of two third class passenger coaches for the Canton-Hankow Line.

55. The couplers of 20 carriages have been replaced by a Coaches so fitted were stronger type, namely, the A.A.R. type D. exchanged as rapidly as possible and used on the express trains. thus increasing the safety factor. The remaining 14 carriages will have their old type couplers all replaced by A.A.R. type D next year.

All carriages are now provided with batteries supplied from the United Kingdom, and the old generators have been overhauled, with the exception of 6 carriages waiting for electric generators from the United Kingdom. All passenger and nearly

ΑΠ all goods stock are once again fitted with air brakes in proper working condition.

56. Repairs have been effected to 21 wagons, and 6 have been converted to temporary third class passenger carrying stock.

57. One 50 ton well-wagon was received from the United Kingdom. The vacuum brakes and screw couplings were replaced locally by air brakes and automatic couplers.

58. Hong Kong Government Departments.

Considerable

repair work as well as the manufacture of spare parts was carried out for other Government Departments such as the Public Works Department, General Post Office, Land Transport, Royal Observa- tory, Medical Department and the Fire Brigade.

59. Motor Vehicles. There are 7 railway trolleys, 3 motor cars and 1 lorry maintained for departmental use. These have all received attention as required. One Plymouth sedan is due for scrapping and sanction is awaited to purchase an Austin duly approved in the Estimates for 1949/1950.

60. Accident and Casualty. During the last 12 months there have been only 7 very minor derailments due entirely to personal negligence and two engine failures also of a minor nature.

61. Machines and Hand Tools. Up to the end of the year, machines and hand tools indented for in the United Kingdom in 1946 have been received in the proportion of 100% hand tools and 50% machine tools.

62. In conclusion, the Railway plant, locomotives, carriages, wagons, tools and equipment have been maintained up to a better standard than before, and in so far as it has been possible with the delivery of supplies and equipment from the United Kingdom. Maintenance expenditures have been higher than in the previous year due to the fact that material for betterments was not available earlier.