CURING SICK ENGINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

CURING SICK ENGINES.

GREAT ENGLISH HOSPITAL.

THE OPERATING " THEATRE."

A hospital for railway engines, where " surgical operations" of a fascinating character are carried : on day and night, exists at the London and North-eastern Railway depot at Stratford. This hospital has ■ its wards and " theatres," but instead of trim nurses and white-coated doctors there is an army of 2600 boilermakers, riveters, stayers, holders-up, blacksmiths,, machinemen, erectors, drillers, fitters,, and welders.

The railway companies spend £13,000,000 every year in overhauling and repairing engines. As soon as a L.N.E.R. locomotive has done 50.000 miles it becomes an in-patient. A. visitor found the " Claude Hamilton," one of the finest express engines, undergoing treatment for maladies akin to gastritis, asthma, and neuritis when he was at the hospital.: recently. A ' rapid diagnosis in the ■ reception ward located the troubles, and the engine was soon being prepared for the operating " theatre." The disrobing • process led to the discarding .of chimney stack, smoke-box, outer casing, spindles, piston-rods,' brakes and nuts and bolts by the thousand.- •

While its outer garments were being cleansed in a bath of scalding hot caustic soda, the engine, looking not unlike George Stephenson's "Rocket," }reached the " theatrp." 7 •- t Worn-out plates were burned off and new ones grafted on;new. tubes replaced old in 1 the respiratory system; 'cylinders were rebored; valves set-to a nicety,, and brakeg' readjusted. Finally " Claude's ,'. waist-line was carefully encased in asbestos blankets, sevenfoot wheels ■ were refitted, and - after the painters had done tljeir. part -to ; restore the complexion, " Claude," was ; ready for work again.