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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 10 (February 1, 1928)

Better Service at Lower Cost

Better Service at Lower Cost.

During the past few years, reserve funds have been drawn upon by the Home railways to meet dividend payments. This process, it was pointed out, could not go on indefinitely, and very strenuous efforts were now being made to increase profits by giving a better and more efficient transport service with the least possible increase of capital expenditure, and also to reduce day-to-day expenses by an intensive search for more economical methods of working and maintenance. Under the first heading, train services were being remodelled so as to afford alternative routes for travellers, and to relieve congested tracks by diverting trains on to lines which were less intensively used. To accomplish this it was desirable that it should be possible for all locomotives and other rolling-stock to be run indiscriminately over all the lines of any group system. With this aim in view, loading-gauge unification has been undertaken, and extensive bridge strengthening works put in hand.

In introducing economies in working and maintenance good headway has been made by the Home lines. More efficient locomotives have been developed and the number of locomotive types reduced to a minimum. Locomotive and carriage and wagon shops have been remodelled, and each shop is being devoted to the particular class of work for which it is best adapted. Vast consideration is being given to the improvement and standardisation of track and track equipment, to better and more economical methods of maintenance and relaying, and to the improvement of the design of bridges and structures, with a view to lengthening their life and reducing the cost of maintenance.