A RECORD HAUL

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 133, 1 March 1929, Page 10

A RECORD HAUL

GARRATT LOCOMOTIVE’S THIRD TRIAL CHIEF ENGINEER SATISFIED A record was established yesterday by one of the Garratt locomotives recently assembled at the Hutt Valley workshops, when, in undergoing a further steam trial, it took the heaviest load ever hauled out of Thorndon by one engine. The locomotive was set a severe test. It left Thorndon for Paekakariki with a coal train, the load of which was 393 tons. Immediately behind the engine was a dynamometer wagon. The chief mechanical engineer of the Railway Department (Mr. G. S. Lynde), who is personally conducting these trials, interviewed last night, said the engine had done exceedingly good work. On the steepest part of the grade up to Ngaio. owing to a leaking gasket joint at the rear of the train conveying air to the brake, the brakes were automatically applied to the engine and the train was brought to rest. Upon the trouble being rectified, the train was started on the steep grade and the engine responded to Mr. Lynde’s entire satisfaction. “It is a big thing to ask of a locomotive under such conditions and On such a grade,” Mr. Lynde commented. Questioned regarding the dynamometer wagon, Mr. Lynde said the matter was too technical to be of public interest, but his reason in having the wagon attached was to take records of the drawbar pull exerted by the Garratt, “I am of the opinion,” he added, “that this class of locomotive will have 10 per cent, more load with ease than our existing locomotives. A few minor adjustments will be made and it is anticipated that this engine will be put into service shortly.”