NEW LOCOMOTIVES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 20, 24 July 1922, Page 8

NEW LOCOMOTIVES

FOR GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS.

Four of the large AB class of locomotive engines an'ived in Auckland last week from Scotland by the Kaikoura to the order of the New Zealand Government for work on the Main Trunk and other heavy lines. It was anticipated that one of these would be landed at Auckland and the others unloaded at Southern ports, but as two engines of ,' a similar type were lost on the Wiltshire, and as they may not be salvaged, it is not definitely known where they will be placed in use (states the Auckland Star). Probably two will be placed in use in the Auckland section and two in the Wellington section. These are of the most powerful type working on the Government railways, and are the last of the forty-five ordered from the North British Co., of Scotland, being despatched from Glasgow in May. The engines, and, in fact, the whole of the order, have been constructed to the design of the Chief Mechanical Office, Wellington, which designed the eight or ten engines of the same class which were constructed, in New Zealand before the order was placed abroad, as it was impossible to. build them in this country, owing to war and other conditions. The New Zealandbuilt and designed engine is considered •to ,be the equal of any locomotive con-1 structed abroad. This type of engine has given entire satisfaction, and is considered to be most suitable for New Zealand conditions, particularly the steep grades and other. difficulties that have to be surmounted in this country. Tlie Department is at present using at Ajickland a new type of engine expressly designed for heavy suburban traffic and manufactured at Addington. This engine, belonging t-j what is known as the W.A.B. class, was used for a time between Taumarunui and Taihape, and gave entire satisfaction. With a view to strengthening the suburban services it has been placed on the Auckland lines, and is doing particularly good work. The Auckland suburban service is rapidly increasing, and the indications are that it will still further increase during the next few years. It is with this in view that the Department is doing all possible to strengthen tho service. ; .