1977-1978 — Page 16

61.

In order to improve passenger comfort, the seating arrangement of a first class coach was repositioned and the seating capacity reduced from 80 to 70 on an experimental basis. Consideration will be given for similar modifications for more passenger coaches if it is proved popular with the passengers. Eight sets of automatic door equipments were ordered and delivered in the year and they will be installed to the air-conditioned passenger carriages in due course.

Plant and Equipments

62.

The wheel lathe ordered in 76/77 was delivered and put into service in mid 1977. To facilitate repair work for lighting, overhead cranes and other equipment installed at heights a lifting working platform was ordered and delivered in early 1978. Other equipment delivered in the year included a metric lathe, a high speed abrasive cleaning machine and an enamel braking furnace. These new equipments all help to increase the flexibility and productivity of the Railway Workshops.

63. Signalling installation and lighting for part of the Lo Wu Marshalling Yard were completed in November 1977. Additional lighting was also installed in University Station, Tai Po Kau Station and for the new extension of the Civil Engineering Workshops Building in Kowloon Goods Yard.

64.

Minor works done for other Government Departments included the manufacturing of 2,000 litre hot water cylinders, various castings of iron, bronze and aluminium, etc.

65.

Statistical statements relating to the analysis of train and locomotive running, fuel oil expenses, consumption of lubricants and the cost of repairing locomotives, carriages and wagons are shown in Appendices XII to XV while the classification of rolling stock is shown in Appendices XVI to XX.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

66.

The project to improve the standard of tracks was in full swing during the year under review. The first batch of prestressed concrete sleepers for replacing the traditional wooden sleepers in connection with this project was delivered in July 1977. These prestressed concrete sleepers, together with the heavier UIC 54 rails and Pandrol fastenings, were used to construct the tracks at Sha Tin Racecourse Railway Station and also to relay the section of the Down Line between Kowloon Tong and Mong Kok which was due for renewal. The latter was brought into use in mid 1978 and became the first section of the main line laid with modern track. Other sections which were due for renewal and included in the reballasting and relaying programme for 1978/79 are those between Bridges 29 and 30 near Fanling; between Tunnel No. 2 and Sha Tin Railway Station of the Down Line and also the whole of the tracks in Sheung Shui Station.

67.

Apart from the relaying of tracks due for renewal, approval had also been given for relaying 8 km. of the existing tracks of the main line to modern standards before they had reached the end of their useful lives. Premature relaying, as this process is called, is also being planned for a further 8 km. of the main line. This, together with the relaying of tracks due for renewal along the main line mentioned above, will enable the whole main line, with the exception of the section of the Up Line between Mong Kok

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