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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 6 (September 2, 1935)

Improved Facilities at Railway Docks

Improved Facilities at Railway Docks.

Important schemes of development and modernisation have for some time been in progress at the South Wales docks of the Great Western Railway. As a result, the shipping facilities in this corner of Britain have been brought right up-to-date, and increased freight handlings may be anticipated in the future. One interesting improvement is the introduction of special appliances for the prevention of the breakage of coal during shipment. These consist of an escalator comprising a number of trays worked on an endless belt. Each tray as it is filled lowers the coal without breakage, and thirty-four of these machines have so far been installed. The “Norfolk” spade, or mechanical digger, has also been introduced successfully, to clear wet coal from wagons. Fifteen of these machines are in service, and they clean a wagon in a few minutes, as against manual labour of more than half-an-hour.

The Great Western Company have completed a scheme of enlargement of
Beautiful Ventnor, Isle of Wight—on the route of Railway Airways.

Beautiful Ventnor, Isle of Wight—on the route of Railway Airways.

their standage sidings at the South Wales docks. At Swansea Docks there has been provided a new hump sorting yard, with extensive new reception and storage tracks, and these alterations have greatly facilitated the handling of traffic of all kinds. In recent years no fewer than one hundred new level-luffing hydraulic and electric cranes have been installed at the South Wales ports by the railway, as well as a floating crane capable of lifting 125 tons, which is available for use at any of the docks in the area.