1957-1958 — Page 12

(d) Manufacture of pump shafts, adaptors, couplings and protective

screens for the Fire Brigade.

(e) Repair of sprayers for the Malaria Bureau.

(f) Repair of equipment for the Kowloon and Lai Chi Kok Hospitals. (g) Repair of wheel-barrows for the Urban Services Department. 35. Statistics. The average diesel fuel consumption for the year under review was 2.82 kgs. per km. as against 2.68 kgs. per km. of the previous year. The slight increase in consumption was due to the increased loads on trains, as mentioned previously.

Coal consumption was 14.82 kgs. per train km. and furnace oil consumption was 11.91 kgs. per train km. as against 18.25 and 11.45 of the previous year. Coal consumption showed an improvement while furnace oil consumption showed a deterioration. Since the steam locomotives were mostly used for goods traffic and shunting, these figures cannot be used as indices for the operating efficiency of the steam locomotives.

Statistical statements relating to analysis of trains and locomotives kilometrage; coal and fuel oil running expenses; and repairs to locomo tives, carriages and wagons will be found at the end of this report as appendices X, XI, XII, XIII and XV.

WAY AND STRUCTURES

36. Maintenance. Way and Structures were maintained in good order during the year.

37. Track. The main line track was maintained to a good standard. Four lengths of cracked rail due to defective material were replaced. Two sets of worn switch tongues and one worn crossing were renewed. All the fishplates in the main line were carefully inspected and greased. The renewal of worn switch points at Kowloon station and the service line between Kowloon and Hung Hom was completed. The work done was as follows:

95 lb. rails

95 lb. switches

95 lb. crossings

Ordinary hardwood sleepers Crossing sleepers

Stone ballast

196 lengths

8 sets 7 sets 1,231

363

247 tons

All 85 lb. section rails in the track on the border bridge at Lo Wu were renewed with 95 lb. section rails.

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