LOCOMOTIVE NO. 1,243

Evening Star, Issue 26043, 6 March 1947, Page 8

LOCOMOTIVE NO. 1,243

SECOND JA-CLASS ENGINE THE TRIAL RUNS Trial runs are at present being held of the second JA-class expresstype locomotive to come from the Hillside Railway. Workshops, and it is expected that the engine will be placed in .service early next week. The new locomotive, No. 1,243, is a duplicate of the engine that came out of the workshops before Christmas, and is now engaged on express train work between Dunedin and Oamaru. It is expected that the three remaining JA-class engines being built in the present batch will be turned out for trial runs within the next month. Interested spectators saw No. 1,243 in the railway yards yesterday and today, glistening black in the sun with the unpainted woodwork round the cab distinguishing it from other locomotives in the vicinity. A successful trial run to Mosgiel and back was held yesterday under the supervision of the locomotive inspector, who checks on repairs and necessary adjustments. Today the locomotive worked a 'goods train to Balelutha as part of its run-ning-in 'trials. After about five days of such working-out, she will take up normal running from the Dunedin area. ALL ROLLER BEARINGS. In about a fortnight, engine No. 1,240, the third of the JA-class type, will be sent on its trials, and particular interest will attach *to its operations. For the first time in New Zealand railway construction, a locomotive will be turned out with all roller bearings. The most significant departure is in the roller bearings on the big end of the connecting rod. The normal bearing is a plain bronze bush, which wears fairly cpiickly and causes most of the clattering noise usually associated with railway engines. The roller bearing big end is expected to give better service and require much less attention. All the “ motion,” the gear that drives the valves, will be needle roller bearings. The balance of the engine has to be adjusted, because the weight of the big end requires to be balanced by more lead in the balance weight. The two succeeding locomotives will be delivered shortly after No. 1,240, at least one being placed on trial runs before the end of March.