Garratt Grials

The first Garratt locomotive, recently assembled at the Hutt Valley Workshops, is now in the Ohakune District. Trials have been personally conducted by Mr. G. S. Lynde, Chief Mechanical Engineer. The latest report shews that a load of 464 tons was carried by goods train from Taumarunui to Taihape. The Owhango bank was negotiated in 22 minutes (six miles of one in fifty grade). The Raurimu spiral was ascended in 27 minutes—(7 miles of one in fifty). The weather conditions were the worst possible, a light drizzling rain falling throughout the journey. Despite the greasy rail, no slipping occurred, and the times put up easily eclipse ordinary goods traffic times.

It is interesting to note that the “X” locomotive (our largest goods engine) has a schedule load of 300 tons over the steepest part of this section. Mr. Lynde reports that on each test a dynamometer car is attached immediately behind the Garratt, and the drawbar pull exerted is being carefully watched. He proposes putting a heavier load on before finally deciding upon the schedule for this particular type of locomotive.

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