MIDDLETON YARDS TEST WITH TRUCK NOT SATISFACTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 6

MIDDLETON YARDS TEST WITH TRUCK NOT SATISFACTORY.

may be closed for ALTERATION PURPOSES. According to a railwayman, the tests carried out at the Middleton Yards by the Railway Department with a view to ascertaining the speed with which trucks come over the hump have proved unsatisfactory. About a fortnight ago a truck, equipped with a speedometer, was sent up to Christchurch from Dunedin. For two weeks or so it was on a siding at Addington until Tuesday, when an official test was arranged. Officials from the head office, Wellington, attended in the afternoon, when the truck was brought from its retirement and made to show what it could do. The truck was run up and down the yard, attaining an estimated speed of thirty-five miles per hour, but only five miles per hour according to the speedometer on the truck. It was then noticed that even when it was stationary the speedometer dial registered four miles per hour. The truck was put over the hump, and the record of four miles per hour was preserved by the dial, though the actual speed was much greater. Since Tuesday afternoon Departmental officials have visited the yard each night, stop watches have been used, and a careful study of the methods in use and the actual speeds is being made. It is freely rumoured round the yard that Middleton may be closed for fairly extensive alterations.