6. The supply of sleepers continued to be a source of anxiety and expense.
The Thai Government was unable to supply as was hoped. Finally, semi-hardwood sleepers were obtained from Malaya, and after creosoting the cost reached $44.02 per sleeper.
7. The cost of coal has been more modest, due to a reduc- tion in shipping freight charges. Indian, South African and Chinese Tatung coals have all been used with prices varying from $120.10 to $145.40 a ton.
8. The boilers of the 2-8-0 austerity locomotives have been giving trouble. The fireboxes are stayed with both copper and steel stays, the steel stays being fitted with a nut on the side nearest the fire. The steel stays, the root diameter of which is 9/16′′ have rusted and commenced to break, but since they have no tell-tale holes, it is difficult to detect which have broken. Engine No. 28 recently failed in traffic and a bulging plate was found on both the inside and the outside of the firebox plates.
Three locomotives have already been fitted with copper stays of " thickness in between the engine frame, an expensive business, and more will be converted as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, it will be necessary to submit all boilers to a hydro- static test every six months instead of annually.
Steam locomotives are, however, uneconomic for this Line, and the continuous heavy cost of maintenance must force the pace of a conversion to diesel electric traction.
TRAFFIC
9. Traffic revenue for the current year amounted to $5,254,583 and showed an increase of 4.95% over the previous
year.
10. The increase was due to quantities of goods exported from China. The freight receipts so derived were $1,340,910 being an increase of 103.21% over those of last year.
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