Laying New Type Rails At Kamo

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1947, Page 2

Laying New Type Rails At Kamo

Former United States Army railway lines, made in England for the Americans in Europe after D Day, and j later sold by them to a Belgium firm, | are now being laid between Kamo and I Ruatangata by the New Zealand RailI ways Department. j The rails, which have never been used, are 36ft long and weigh 75 lb to the yard, and will replace the 55 lb rails previously laid. The work started on Wednesday and the new line, which will run for about one and a half miles for a start, will provide a more solid track to cope with the heavier engines and carriages which will be used in future. Having been made to American specifications, the new rails are different from the rails ordinarily used in this country, and are heavier. The fittings are also different and the U miles of new line will be a test to see if it is satisfactory. If so, the distance covered by the rails will probably be extended. In the distant future 551 b rails will be entirely discarded and 85 lb rails will take their place.