1975-1976 — Page 17

68.

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

All locomotives, rolling stock, electrical and mechanical equipment, machinery and plant were maintained to a good standard during the year.

Eleven pre-war passenger carriages, which were introduced into service around 1910 and beyond economical repair were scrapped. Another 14 pre-war carriages, after refurbishing, were introduced into service again. A further three pre-war passenger carriages were reconditioned and converted to departmental coaches for use by civil engineering and workshops personnel when working away from their base. Air conditioning of four first class carriages was started during the year, the first of which is expected to be ready for service in the autumn of 1976. Modi- fications were made to the alternators of the 40 Japanese Coaches delivered in 1974/75 to raise output from 70 to 95 amperes. Modification of all coaches is expected to be completed in 1976/77. The Workshops Section also played a very active part, in conjunction with other sections, in developing and implementing a number of projects.

69.

In order to cope with increase in traffic movement arising from the opening of the new Kowloon Station, the working period of the workshop staff in this Station has been lengthened since 30th November, 1975.

70.

Locomotives The availability factor of diesel locomotives was $1.3% compared with 88.93, in the previous year, allowing better utilisa- tion by the traffic section. Maintenance cost rose from $1.223 per km. in the previous year to $1.386 per km. The increase was the result of the increased cost of spare parts due to inflation. To assist in handling the increasing quantity of freight traffic and to take over the duties of the two oldest locomotives when under extensive overhaul and rebuilding a request was made for the purchase of two locomotives and one spare locomotive bogie.

71.

The average consumption of diesel oil was 3.52 Kg. per engine Kilometrage compared with 3.40 Kg. per engine Kilometrage in the previous year, reflecting the heavier weight of trains. The total average cost of maintenance and oil consumption per locomotive Kilometre was $3.72 compared with $3.33 in the previous year.

72.

Carriages Availability was 88.13% compared with 88.74% in the previous year and the maintenance cost per passenger coach kilometre 30.447 compared with $0.416 in 1974/75. Again the higher maintenance cost was mainly the result of domestic and international inflation.

Two spare carriage bogies were ordered from Japan, and will help improve Carriage availability.

73.

Plant and Equipment workshops Section was responsible for the installation of electrical parts and the subsequent maintenance of all power operated barriers installed at six level crossings during the year. As part of the Lo u improvement project, the workshops Section installed additional electric lights under the extended canopy over the platform. The stand-by generator at Kowloon Station, Tsim Sha Tsui was overhauled and will be installed in New Kowloon Station, Hung Hom in 1976.

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