THE CLUTHA RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1031, 2 September 1871, Page 11

THE CLUTHA RAILWAY.

The following extract from the Report tof the Acting Colonial Engineer-in-Chief, 3lr Blackett, will no doubt be interesting -ito our readers :—: —

Plant and rolling stock for the first six miles of this line have been ordered from England, and another order for the ten miles at the Clutha end is now being prepared.

After a careful consideration of the best examples of light and narrow gauge railways, and of the requirements of this particular line, it was determined that the ordinary Vignoles, or ilat-footed rails, should be used, of tho weight of 401bs. to the lineal yard, 1110 onds to be securely joined by fish-plates and bolts, and the rails secured to the sleepers at the ends and middle by fang-bolts and nuts, and intermediately by dog-3pikes in each sleeper.

The engines are to weigh about seventeen tons when ready for work, being vather less than three tons weight on eauh wheel ; the number of wheels six, three feet in diameter, all coupled ; no tenders to be used ; the engines to carry coal and water sufficient for a moderate journey, the weight of these being thus utilised to give the engines more adhesive poAver on the rails. These engines may be expected to draw a load of 100 tons over such gradients nd are described above, and Arill ordinarily have a speed of twenty to twenty-five miles an hour, if required. All the carriages and waggons to have four wheels, and to be made as light as possible, compatible with necessary strength. The passenger carriages to be composite, first and second class, and to hold thirty-two persons, who will be seated cross-wise • length about 21 feet by 7 feet wide outside, fitted with central butters and draw-gear, The above form of carriage has been adopted, seeing that the line presents no difficulties for working in the way of sharp curves ; and the carriages have been purposely made of a comparatively small size, in view of a probably small average passenger traffic. The use of very long carriages, mounted on a fourwheeled bogie at each end, would seem to be adapted more for railways where a large passenger traffic existed, and where the number and sharpness of the curves rendered some spjeial provision necessary.

The break-vans will be about the same size as the carriages. The goods waggons, covered and open, will be about 15 feet long by (U feet wide, of wood ; aud the mineral waggons about the same length, but with iron bodies 2\ feet high.