51. Locomotives: The availability factor of the diesel locomotives was 88.93% compared with 89.93% the previous year. The comparatively lower availability was due to a greater incidence of major locomotive overhauls during the past year. Maintenance cost rose from $1.037 per km. in the previ- ous year to $1.223 per km. The increase was a result of the increased cost of labour and spare parts due to inflation.
52. Carriages: Availability was 88.74% compared with 84.7% in the previous year and the maintenance cost per passenger coach kilometre was $0.416 compared with $0.365 in 1973/74. The higher maintenance cost was mainly a result of domestic and international inflation.
53. Plant & Equipment : Additional electric lights were installed at Lo Wu Immigration Departure Hall to improve lighting conditions.
54. Work done for other Government Departments included the manufacture of hot water cylinders, night deposit safes and various iron castings.
55. The average consumption of diesel oil was 3.40 kg per engine km. which is the same as in the previous year. The total average cost of maintenance and oil consumption per locomotive kilometre was $3.33 compared with $1.88 in the previous year. Statistical statements relating to the analysis of train and locomotive running, fuel oil expenses, consumption of lubricants and the cost of repairs to locomotives, carriages and wagons will be found in Appendices X to XIII, while the classification of rolling stock is shown in Appendices XIV to XVII.
CIVIL ENGINEERING
56.
Mechanisation of track maintenance to provide economies and cope with the anticipated expansion of railway activities was under active consideration to enable plans to be submitted to Colonial Secretariat for approval. The introduction of 13 coaches for each passenger train imposed additional burdens on track maintenance staff.
57.
58.
The following major works were carried out during the year :-
Signalling. All signal arms, signal posts and point indicators were repainted. The colour of distant signals was changed to yellow in place of red in view of its cautionary instead of stop implications.
Tunnels. All tunnels were inspected and maintained in good order. Eight plastic ceiling sheets each 2 ft. wide were reconstructed inside Tunnel No. 2 as a consequence of a suspected out of gauge wagon com- ponent making contact and dislodging them.
Correspondence was exchanged with the Chinese Section and agreement reached for a joint examination of bridge No. 38 over the Shum Chun River at the border. This subsequently led to a further agreement for joint activities to ensure that the bridge, which joins the two sections, receives adequate repair in future.
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