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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 1 (April 1, 1940)

Fifty Thousand Wagons in Constant Use

Fifty Thousand Wagons in Constant Use.

At this season out-of-gauge loads are always conspicuous on the Home lines. The war has resulted in a big increase in this class of traffic, and the large stock of special wagons (totalling some 50,000) is kept in constant employment. One new traffic is that rising out of the supply of gas cylinders to the barrage balloons. Special wagons, styled “lowfits,” are utilised. They are equipped with drop sides and ends, and road vehicles loaded with the gas cylinders are run direct on to these trucks, thereby saving handling. There is also a big demand for the heavier rail wagons employed for the movement of big guns and armour plates. Explosives, too, are handled in immense quantities, and a great deal of ingenuity has been shown in converting trucks to this purpose by the provision, for example, of suitable racks for shells and bombs. All this special business, as well as the ordinary day-to-day movement, is being handled like clockwork in fair weather and in foul, in daylight and during the black-out.

page 26
page 27
Heavy-freight locomotive, London, Midland & Scottish Railway.

Heavy-freight locomotive, London, Midland & Scottish Railway.