HILLSIDE WORKSHOPS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17156, 5 October 1926, Page 4

HILLSIDE WORKSHOPS

TO BE MAIN LOCOMOTIVE BASE

Nearly ftJOO.,OOO will be involved in the reconstruction of the Hillside RailWay Workshops, for which tenders are duo to closo on November 30. Since February the preparatory work for clearing away the old buildings for the site of the .massive concrete and steel shops to bo erected has proceeded smoothly. At present a little preliminary work is being carried out. A covering is now being built between the blacksmiths' and litters' shops, and that urea will bo utilised as a substore, toolroom, coppersmith's shop, and foremen's offices. All. the new chimney-stacks for the furnaces have been completed. Tenders have not yet beem called for the electrical equipment at Hillside. It is tho intention of tho. Railway Department to electrify tho new works and instal the most modern types of machinery. For the present tho work of clearing the sites will proceed, but as soon as the successful tenderer'is announced Hillside will be the scene of great activity. The reconstruction of the shops will be carried out under a scheme that will allow the engineering work to continue without interruption through the construction.

Hillside is to be the main locomotive shop for the South Island, Addington being the car and wagon shop/ ''Many men.are to bo transferred frorfj Hillside to Addington and vice versa, but so far no announcements ilntvo been made as to the number and the period over ■ which the transferences will be spread.