OUR RAILWAYS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3040, 29 March 1917, Page 6

OUR RAILWAYS

COMMISSION'S REPORT

CONDITION OP ROLLING STOCK

NO DETERIORATION

.CHARGES HELD TO BE DISPROVED.

The ltoyal Commission set up to investigate allegations regarding defective conditions, in connection with some of the rolling-stock in use on the New Zealand Railways has reported. In every case the allegations, it finds, have been disproved, and it sums up the whole report with this conclusion: "Basing its opinion largely on personal inspection and investiga- ■ tion, the commission considers that the rolling-stock on the New Zealand Railways is being maintained in an efficient' and thoroughly safe condition." The commission comprised Messrs. R. J. Scott, M. Inst. C.K., and Professor of Engineering at Canterbury College {Chairman), J. Marchbanks (formerly Chief Engineer of the . WellingtonManawatu Railway Company), and J. P. Maxwell (a former General Manager and New Zealand Railway Commissioner). A Question in the House. The condition of the rolling-stock was first brought into question by Mr. T. M. Wilford in Parliament last session. Hβ asked the Minister of Railways whether there was a shortage of the necessary equipment for renewals, whether it was a fact that where broken springs had been found under carriages two springs were put into one, as there were not sufficient springs available, and he asked the 'Minister to set up a commission consisting of a railway expert and Mr. Marchbanks to thoroughly investigate the condition of the rolling-stock, before which, men in the service could give evidence. He also 1 asked that' the reports of officers in charge of rolling-stock should be submitted. The Minister of Railways immediately tabled a report signed by all the responsible officers of the Department concerned in the upkeep of the rolling-stock, specifically denying the allegations which had been made 'that public safety was being jeopardised by what was going on. . The Findings. Mr. Wilford declared himself not satisfied, again pressed for an inquiry,; and the commission was consequently set up. with the result that after visiting all the railway centres and conducting interesting and valuable experiments with draw-gear, it came to the following conclusions:—

1. "We find that the rolling-stock on the New Zealand Government Railways was in July, 1916, in good and' safe running order. I 2. That such rolling-stock has been maintained in pood and efficient order and condition during the three .years between August, 1913, and July, 1916. 3. That,' generally, proper provision has been made for the upkeep and renowol of the rolling-stock, but that the facilities for "lifting" , at station yards are not sufficient for dealing with tho present volume of traffic. That this fact has l>een recognised by the responsible officers of the, Department, but execution of tliß necessary works has been delayed by war conditions. _ 4 That the condition of the carriage and wagon springs has not at any time been inefficient. . . - 5 That it is not correct, as it has been alleged, that where broken springs have been found under carriages, two such springs have been put.into one instead of being ren.laced by one sound carriage spring. .That no. broken hear-ing-springs have been pieced. Lnat, «uch havo been immediately removed and new springs substituted. That iu has not been the practice to piece_ carriage draw-bar springs. That pieced draw-bar springs have been used to the extent of about ten per cent, of the total number in the wagon-stock, .l.nat this practice is justifiable and .introduced no element of danger. , 6 That the safety of the public has not been adversely affected at any time during the three years preceding July, 1916 by the condition of the nnderframes and running-eear on the carriages'and wagons. .That:the condition, of this gear has been exceedingly good. 7 That no inspector or other onicer having charge of railing-stock, or responsible for its condition, has at any time during the three years aforesaid, reported adversely on the condition and upkeep of the rolling-stock, or notified any of his superiors that he declined to 'carry tho burden of his responsibilities by'reason of the condition of the rolling-stock. . . 3 That the allegation that has been made- that the under-gear of coaobes and wagons is wearing out, and that there has not been a sufficient supply of spares available during tlie thrO? years specified, is not justified. That there has been a temporary shortage of draw-bar springs due to the delay m arrival of shipments during 1914-1915. 9. That there h^s' been no inefficiency, want of thought, or neglect of public interests on the part of the responsible officers of the • Department.That the allegation to the contrary is unfounded. .'■■•:

Ceneral satisfaction. The commission has been impressed by the high standard of the personnel,; officers and men, with which it has come into contact, and by tho precautions taken to maintain the rollingstock in a condition of safety which is properly regarded as of paramount importance. The inspection arrangements are thorough/ and the train lifters and examiners are a remarkably intelligent and trustworthy.. body, of men. .

The. results of this care . are manifested in tho increasing train mileage run per derailment, due to other causes, than slips and obstructions. This has increased fr0m:—530,366 train miles in 1912-13, to 938.342 train miles in 191415, and 1,169,565 |rain miles in 1915-

16. > ' . ' - . • • Preceding ilieso conclusions, the commission has furnished tho Government with a lengthy report to show the extensive nature lot its investigations, inclnding the examination of 4275 vohiclcs in many parts of the system, and an inspection of the facilities for repairing and liftiniz _*ho rolling-stock. The commission specifies a.-number of improvements which have been introduced sinco 19.13, calculated to increase the safety and durability, and to diminish the cost of upkeep, of the rolling-stock, amongst these being the replacement of the gas cylinders hitherto carried beneath passenger cars, by small cylinders in a safer position within tho framing of tho car. No Risks Taken. Evidence wos given, satisfviug: the commission that the Wpstintfionse brake has been . maintained in the highest state of efficiency, and that the provision for its inspection is ample. Prominence was given by Mr, Wilford. nrid by Mr. Veiteh.to the', use of niece/1 drnw-bar springs ns being a nris<i''M,> rlrniror. T''e onimi'iyeion found tli"t tbev have boon ■ n«>d on wagons, but not carriages, with the single exception that at Wanganui pieoed springe have been used in a few

cars without instructions. _ "All witnesses," remarks the commission, "are emphatic that the* use of pieced drawbar springs introduces no element of danger. . Most consider that pieced springs are efficieut and durable." The commission regards the results of its extensive inspection of the rollingstock as "highly satisfactory." "The uniformly excellent condition of tho wheels, tires, and axles, on safety of the train so largely depends, was remarkable."

The evidence conclusively proved that no carriages or wagons were run with damaged or pieced bearing-springs, and that where draw-bar springs were pieced on wagons the commissioners were satisfied that the practice was unobjectionable, tho springs being merely shock-abaorbers, and not in any way affecting the safety of the rollingstock. . A Series of Experiments. With a view to determining the value of pieced and other draw-bar springs, the commission when at Auckland made the experiment of violently buffing a wagon fitted at one end with a pieced, and at the other with a whole, drawbar spring. No difference in the behaviour, of the springs could be detected. The commission, when in the. South Island, travelled in a carriage in which arrangements were made for observation of the action/and measurement of the deflection of the draw-bar springs. This carriage was always placed at the front of the train, so that it would take the whole stress of the haulage effort of the engine. Runs were made with whole and pieced springs, and, says the report, no difference in the running of the carriage or in the behaviour of the springs could bo discovered. Finally, laboratory tests of the springs were made, with the result that the pieced draw-bar spring was found' to be, thoueh inferior, not greatly inferior to the whole spring. Under the rough test of subjecting them to the blows of a steam hammer, the pieced springs proved equal to the whole springs. d A class "L" tragon -buffing and drawbar test was carried out at Canterbury College, this gear beino; to progressive loadinp;' -to breaking point. One draw-hook failed at 25 tons load and the other at 33 tons load. "The results of ..these tests," adds the commission, "together with the large number of breakages of draw-bar sprint;?*, appear to indicate that an investigation is desirable as t<l the suitability of the. existing type of draw-gear for the greatly increased weight of modern trains. It is understood that the Department have already taken some steps in that direction."