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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 4 (August 24, 1926)

Monthly Notes

Monthly Notes

Four-ounce grease cups to a design prepared by the Chief Mechanical Engineer and recently tried out on the big ends and side rods of “Ab” 833 have given satisfaction. This engine has run 8,000 miles since the cups were fitted, and the bearings have occasioned no trouble, nor have the cups required any attention. Drivers who have had their engines similarly fitted are quite pleased with the results obtained. It has been found in practice that an engine has run 820 miles on one filling of the cups and without any adjustment of the compression.

It is expected that the first of eight “Wab” engines at present being built for the Department by Messrs. A. & G. Price Ltd., Thames, will be handed over during August.

The building of new sleeping cars similar to the car de luxe recently tried out on the Limited express is proceeding at Petone, and it is hoped to have two of these completed in time for the Christmas traffic. The building of others included in the new car programme will follow.

The Clayton car has been put through some severe tests recently. It has now been shipped to Lyttelton and will be used on the Kurow Branch.

New Workshops: The position in regard to the Hutt Valley Locomotive Shops is that the closing of tenders for structural work on the building is being awaited. Preparation and levelling of the site for the shops is being proceeded with.

Otahuhu Car and Wagon Shops: Here also tenders have not yet closed for structural work on the buildings; preparation and levelling of the site is under way.

Addington Workshops: Site clearing, which is being done by the Department, is in progress, and stores buildings are now re-arranged so as to permit of new buildings being erected. The new Tarpaulin Shop is in progress.

Hillside Workshops: The paint shop is now dismantled and is being re-erected in the Goods Yard at Dunedin. The Anderson Bay traffic sidings are ready for use and the Kensington Yard will be closed down as soon as road access is provided.

Workshop Electrification: At Petone and Addington work is well on towards completion. At Hillside, Invercargill, and East Town, tenders have not yet closed.

Workshop Machinery: Plans are being prepared for the installation of all new machinery on the first year's allotment as soon as it is received.

Apprentice Instruction: Four apprentice instructors (Messrs. A. Thomson, Newmarket; G. Carter, Petone; W. Robbins, Addington; and D. J. Sherriff, Hillside) have been appointed and are now carrying on their new duties. The instruction is included as part of the apprentices' daily work, and covers at present courses for Fitters, Turners, and Boilermakers.

Models of railway machine parts are kept and these are used to give the apprentices practice in sketching. Suitable drawings for analysis are also used. The Department provides drawing boards, and tee and set squares, while the apprentices are required to furnish their own instruments.

The Board's object is to teach the apprentices to understand the work upon which they are engaged, to enable them to read blueprints, and to provide a place where they can bring shop problems and have them explained. Later, various specialist officers of the Department will lecture the classes on subjects likely to benefit them.

During their first three years, apprentices will receive three hours school work per week in the Department's time. In addition, the Department will insist on apprentices attending evening Technical Schools as well as the Departmental classes.