Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 7 (December 15, 1926)

Variety of Suggestions for N.Z.R. — Inventions Committee Has Something to Think About

page 24

Variety of Suggestions for N.Z.R.
Inventions Committee Has Something to Think About

The suggestions listed below are those which were dealt with by the Suggestions and Inventions Committee during October. The suggestions cover almost all phases of railway operations, and it is specially interesting to note the number dealing with the same subject—in one case as many as 40—which were submitted by members of the Staff and public.

(Note.—The figures in brackets indicate the number of suggestions dealing with the same subject which were submitted to the Committee.)

Suggestions in connection with:—The Department manufacturing its own ink. The use of a long iron or hardwood arm to facilitate handling of sheep and timber wagons. Electrical equipment at Otira power house. Spaces on back of L6, L14 and L14a tickets being used for advertising purposes (2). The Department advertising the railways on the back of passenger tickets (2). Curtailment of number of copies taken of outward correspondence. Display of a diagram of the “Spiral” in Main Trunk cars. Economising by using roller blinds on record cabinets instead of roller shutters. Drawbar roller bearer. Alteration to Accounts Instruction 101a, Clause 7. Lengthening the life of railway sleepers (4). Methods of increasing goods traffic. Alteration to train service between Green Island and Dunedin to combat motor competition by City Corporation. Collecting newspapers from carriages and using them for wrapping nails, bolts, etc., when forwarded from Stores. Self-adjusting folding table in passenger cars (2). Alteration in construction of side and tail lamps (9). The Coburn type of crane being used in fitting shops and foundries. Advertising on railway tarpaulins (2). Circuitous route to level crossings by means of a “duck-egg” shaped obstruction in road approach (11). “Q” wagons being fitted with Westinghouse brake and used for coal traffic. Lamp for crossing-keepers (2). Alteration to timber consignment notes. Spring clip being substituted for the present strap and buckle on tablet exchanger slings (3). Unentered Goods and Parcels traffic (2). G39 undercharges on Goods. Improved air vent pipe casting for “Wg” and “Ww” class locomotives. Method of lining up small end cotters. Number indications on Frankton Junction platform, and notices exhibited showing section of platform from which each train leaves. Method of bending blower pipes for locomotives. Expansion brackets for “Wf,” “Wg” and “Ww” engines. Alteration to workshops machinery. Cleaning of railway carriages (2). Use of dual purpose road-rail vehicles for combating motor competition. Device for holding up hand brake levers on wagons (10). Support for hoses of water tanks when engine taking in water (2). Departmental motor lorry being used for the purpose of removing furniture of members on transfer. Level crossing warning devices—automatic bells, lights and danger signs (40). Use of condemned rails in place of angle iron on ends of wagons. Turn tables being made from discarded tyres of rolling stock. Provisions of Regulation 140 being carried out in their entirety. Method of cleaning locomotives. Ambulance being provided for emergency use. Special type of headlight (2). Automatic gates, booms and barriers for level crossings (22). Alterations to bearing spring lines and carrying roller bar. Standardising supply of stores to stations (2). Oil groove for little end brasses of locomotives. Uncleaned runners being packed in suitable air-tight containers when forwarded by rail. Plate glass square in dog boxes of guard's vans (2). Station number being shown opposite station name in future issue of Distance Tables (2). Small circular speaking hole in glass of ticket windows. Summer coats being issued every two years instead of annually as at present. Coal lifting tackle. Old rails being laid at level crossings to eliminate excessive bumping to road vehicles when passing over such crossings (2). The Railways Magazine. Mandrel and double tool holder for turning locomotive axle-box crown brasses. Economising in sand at the locomotive depots in the North Island. Stations that are equipped with Woods patent lock being supplied with one key only to fit north and south main line points and semaphores. Re-arrangement of machine workshop. Method of strengthening buffers. Alteration to standard bridle. Correspondence boxes at flag stations being made round with a glass pane in front. Improved friction plate for “La” wagons. Warning device for slips and landslides (14). Method of cancelling freight stamps (8). Official credit note. Transfer forms. Combined Attendance and W.G.S.-1 special books for Division 2, Traffic Branch. Improvement to brake blocks. Guard's van equipment (4). The number of instruction books page 25 issued to staff being reduced to a minimum. Unattended stations in the Automatic signalling area being electrically lighted, the lights to be operated by a track circuit while trains are in the vicinity of such stations. The layout of the Middleton marshalling yard. Metal buttons on worn out uniforms being returned for re-use. Self-lubricating bearings. Through telephonic connection between carriages and guard's vans of express trains (2). Hinged bow for pantograph collectors of electric locomotives at Otira. Tarpaulin ridge on wagons used for cement and manure traffic (5). Device for turning truss rod buckles. Cadets being located at their home station, where possible, during the first three years of their service. Addition of 10 per cent, to accounts overdue. Alteration to tablet slings. Footplates on “Zp” wagons. Method of permanently marking centre line position of crossheads. Method of dealing with valuable property and free traffic on trains. Capstan hook. Method of handling oil for cleansing purposes. Index cabinets. Change of name of Whenuakura station. A yellow spectacle instead of a red one being used in distant signals. Ledger accounts. Painting of wagons. G-69 forms being printed in book form. Device for holding up hand brake levers on wagons (11). Method of dealing with Parcels Traffic. Arrangement for cattle stop bars. The curtailment of the issue of Working Timetables and issue of sectional timetables (12). Alteration to piston valves on “Wf” locomotives. Little end pins on engines being fitted with castle nuts. Cancellation of Clauses 1 to 5 of Accounts Instruction No. 66a. Safety straps on hand brake push rods. Reinforced headstock for rolling stock. An adjustable tail lamp bracket being included in van equipment. Ashpan clip (3). Display at all flag stations of prominent notice showing the correct method of filling in consignment notes. Special consignment note for flag stations (3). Commissions paid to Stationmasters at combined stations being discontinued. Fragile label (2). Provision of facilities for money saving by employees (2). An overhead sign showing train departure times being placed at Queen Street entrance to Auckland station. Smoking cars being indicated by notices placed above doors on inside of such cars (2). Securing of lids of filters on trains (3). Side supports for carriages in case of derailment. Stowage of goods in vans—notices, showing whether stations are on right or left of line, being posted in Goods Sheds and Porters' rooms. Hand brake levers on wagons being painted white (3). Central booking offices at Wellington and Christchurch being utilised as left luggage offices. Annual review of staff (4). Sealing of ambulance boxes (2).

At Ladle Bend, Otago Central Line

At Ladle Bend, Otago Central Line

page 26

Adult Classes for Railwaymen

During the winter months Christchurch members took advantage of the facilities provided by the Worker's Educational Association for our intellectual development.

Mr. A. H. Tocker, M.A., of Canterbury College, acted as tutor and leader of the class. Through his wide range of knowledge and ready wit, the lecturer held our attention as he led up step by step through the various stages of social and industrial development; each lecture being profusely illustrated from historical and contemporary facts. Of the series of twenty-four lectures the first fourteen were devoted to the “Economic Development of New Zealand,” and the remaining ten to “The Economics of Transportation.”

The last ten lectures were of vital interest to railwaymen, e.g., (a) four lectures were devoted to the “Fay-Raven” Commission's Report, under the heading “Management,” “Shops Organisation,” “Bate fixing,” “Statistics”; (b) The 1926 D-2 “Railway Statement” was analysed during four lectures (1) the Reports of the Minister and Railway Board; (2) the Railway Accounts, (3) Road Competition, (4) Policy.

The final lecture, Wednesday, September 29th, was devoted to a resume of the session's work, and those present will long remember the masterly summing up of the History of Transportation and of its effect on social welfare to which we were treated.

When the discussion concluded several members expressed their appreciation of the benefits received through attending the class. Mr. T. Lawless (District Engineer's Office) voiced the wishes of all the members when he said that “Mr. Tocker must consider himself detailed for the next year's session.” On behalf of the class Mr. Lawless presented the lecturer with a fountain pen as a token of their appreciation. When returning thanks Mr. Tocker explained the history and functions of the W.E.A., making an eloquent appeal to members to use their influence in any organisation of which they are members on behalf of the organisation which made the class possible.

We have to thank (1) the W.E.A. for the loan of a fine selection of books; (2) the Department for providing us with a meeting room and book cupboard; (3) the Railway Board for supplying copies of the Fay-Raven report; (4) those administrative officers who, by attending and taking part in the discussions, assisted us to appreciate some aspects of problems which might otherwise have been overlooked.

Arrangements have been made for Administrative officers to take the lead in a series of discussions, of which more anon.

N.Z. Society of Accountants
Railways and Shipping

At the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Society of Accountants held in Christ-church recently, Mr. Reginald Davis, President, said:—

The momentous economic questions of to-day call for expert knowledge. Take as an example the Shipping question. Does it not seem economically unsound, that produce ships, should travel round our coasts picking up cargoes and wasting time and money, when in most instances the produce could be railed to one of the four centres for shipment, and dispatched in quick time. This fact would put our Railways on a better footing and get so many more trips in per annum by the steamers, to use an expression that we are all so familiar with, “Reduce Overhead Expenses.” It is merely a question of costing in the interest of those concerned and the saving of wastage. We of course are not a political body, but as individuals and citizens of this Dominion should we not get into these arguments. We are doing it every day for our clients, why not for the nation. Representing a country district and being in close touch with many primary producers, country practitioners find these questions, in consultations with their clients, come before them continuously.

It is the man who can stick to the disagreeable job, do it with energy and strength, the man who can force himself to do good work when he does not feel like doing it—in other words, the man who is master of himself, who has a great purpose, and who holds himself to his aim, whether it is agreeable or disagreeable, whether he feels like it or does not feel like it—that wins.

page break
Hapuawhenuat Viaduct, Main Trunk Line, North Island. Curve 10 chains. Height 180 feet.

Hapuawhenuat Viaduct, Main Trunk Line, North Island. Curve 10 chains. Height 180 feet.