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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 11 (March 1, 1928)

Bulk Transport of Milk

Bulk Transport of Milk.

The new method recently inaugurated by some of the British railway companies for transporting milk in bulk in 3,000-gallon glass tank wagons is, according to an article in a recent issue of “Modern Transport,” operating with efficiency and success. The enormcus milk traffic over the railways of the Home land may be gauged from the fact that over 280,000,000 gallons of milk are conveyed annually by rail. Of this amount 95,000,000 gallons are handled by the London, Midland and Scottish, and 85,000,000 gallons by the Great Western Railway. Under the churn system of conveyance it would require a train no less than 2,333 miles in length (more than twice the length of New Zealand) to transport the quantity of milk which the railways are called upon to deal annually. In this respect the tank method effects a very considerable saving—a saving of about 70 per cent. That is, a train 689 miles in length, is sufficient to cope with the haulage.

The tanks are built of steel and are lined throughout with glass enamel. They have no corners or seams—which fact simplifies the process of cleaning and sterilising. A most important factor in the use of glass-lined tanks for the conveyance of milk is that of their superior hygiene. They enable milk (which is most susceptible to contamination) to be maintained at a constant temperature of 38deg.—bacterial growth being inhibited at that temperature.

Goods Train On The Rimutaka. Centre-rail Incline (1 in 15 grade).

Goods Train On The Rimutaka.
Centre-rail Incline (1 in 15 grade).