RAILWAY SHOPS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 February 1926, Page 5

RAILWAY SHOPS

BIG PROGRAMME. TO COST MILLION AND A HALE. TENDERS FOR STEEL WORK. * By Telegraph—Special to the Star. WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. Plans of the structural steel work for the new locomotive works to be erected near Petone have been completed and are being sent to England this week, the specifications calling for British material only. The Railway Department has the new site, to be served by the railway duplication in the ‘Hutt Valley, nowunder eonstruetiodn. It covers 65 acres, and the four large shops to be constructed! under the present contract will have ample room for expansion. It is estimated that the cost of the new buildings and equipment is in the neighbourhood of £300,000, and provides for a complete building and repairing plant for locomotives. It .will be electrically equipped "with the most modern machinery, tenders ■ for -which arc ready for consideration. It is expected that the plans of the structural steel works for the new Auckland railway workshops will be completed in a month’s time, and tenders will be called on the basis of British material. The buildings are to be erected on the Department’s new Otahuhu site.

The reorganisation of the existing shops at Addington and Hillside and the concentration of work are also in hand. Some of the staff rearrangements are now being effected. DETAILS OF COST. A LENGTHY PROGRAMME. WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. The Minister for Railways (the Hor.. J. G. Coates) announces that- the total will be £BOO,OOO, but with machinery and other items the cost ultimately will be £1,500,000, The programme is estimated to take three years. In the amounts making up the million and a half are: Replacing machinery £238,000, new machinery £134,000, hauling and travelling gear £70,000. At present the locomotives are half as long again as necessary for repair. Under a conservative estimate it is 'calculated that £230,000 per annum will be saved. After deducting interest, etc., this le'aves a profit of £115,000.