LYTTELTON TUNNEL

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 2

LYTTELTON TUNNEL

CONTRACT FOB ELECTBIFiCSTIOH

SECURED BY ENGLISH COMPANY The English Electric Company have secured an important contract for the complete electrification of the lino from Christchurch to Lyttelton, which includes the Lyttelton tunnel, through which the whole of the traffic from the North to the South Island, and vice versa, must pass (remarks an exchange). The order comprises the overhead lino equipment amounting to 45,000yds of overhead line material, six 1,500-volt locomotives of the four-axle typo, oft Gin gauge, each equipped with four D.K. eight-six motors and standard camshaft control. The electrical gearwill be mounted in compartments and protected by floors interlocked with the control. The weight of the locomotives in full working order will be fiftv tons, there being two drivers compartments, one at each end. Also the necessary sub-station plant which includes a single sub-station arranged to feed directly on .to tiie middle of the overhead line without any feeders is to be supplied. Two rotaries will be supplied, these being completely automatic in operation, and of the single commutator 1,500-volt type. The sub-stations which the company are supplying will be the sole source of supply'for the locomotives. Remote control is arranged from both Addington and Christchurch stations, starting being effected by the operation of a single push button in either of these remote points. On receipt of this impulse the first machine will start up, automatically synchronise and take load, the second machine coming into operation cither by a second operation or the same push button switch, oi, alternatively, by overload aucl consequent overheating on the running machine. Both machines are designed to take the whole of the load which is at present expected, so that at preseni. the second machine may he regarded as a standby to the first. Ariangements will, however, bo niarlc by the operation of a single, change-over switch, to reverse the, sequence of starling so that even operation is obtained between the two machines. In addition to the .above. remote starting arrangement, indication will be riven at both remote points that tho 'machines arc running or not, and also alarm will be given at Addington station in the event of either machine being shut down duo to a short circuit or any other reason. The transformers for supplying these converters will be of the standard outdoor type. They will be suitable for taking a supply ‘at 10,500 volts, three-phase, filtyevdes, and will convert this to the appropriate pressure ior the rotaiy converters. - . , ... , c The automatic switcngcar will be of standard design. Protection on the d c side is by means of a high-speed circuit-breaker in Hie positive .mam, provision being made lor isolation of both the positive and negative connections.