The adjustable type of driving axle box guides designed and built locally for the "austerities" as mentioned in last year's report have been so successful that two more locomotives Nos. 21 and 25 of the same type were equipped with them in 1950, and the remaining nine austerity locomotives are now equipped with the adjustable type. The saving in maintenance costs by the use of adjustable guides in axle boxes has been considerable.
Consumption of coal and fuel oil in locomotives was higher than the previous year due to the use of inferior coal and fuel oil, while train loads were heavier than before. Lubricating oil was higher than the previous year due to more engines leing in use and heavier train loads.
Average cost of repair per engine during the year was higher than the previous year due to an engine having received heavy repairs including a change of boiler, but the cost of repairs per engine-kilometre in the same period was a little lower due to more kilometrage having been operated. Maintenance costs have also been affected by the increased local price of materials since the outbreak of the war in Korea.
48. Carriages and Wagons. There have been seven carriages given general repairs and painting, and sixteen carriages given light repairs and painting.
Armstrong asphalt tile flooring has been applied to first and second class carriages Nos. 103, 104, 105, 205, 206 and 313. Durastic flooring compound has been applied to third class carriage No. 312. If tests prove satisfactory it is hoped to standardize with these materials.
painted.
Third class wooden coach No. 304 was reconstructed of teak and
Third class wooden coaches Nos. 312 and 313 were reconstructed as all-steel vehicles.
Ten 30-ton wagons were given general repairs and painted.
There have been 130 steel 44 metric ton covered wagons and five 45 metric ton oil tank wagons (10,000 gallons of water) received from the United Kingdom and assembled for traffic. These wagons are of modern design with cast steel bogies, 33′′ × 51′′ rolled steel wheels and 51′′ × 10′′ journals, Westinghouse automatic air brakes, AAR Type E automatic couplers, friction type central draft gears and Iracier type journal boxes. Principal dimensions of the covered wagons are:-floor height 3′ 7′′, height from underframe to underside of roof-sheets at centre
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