The Western Railway

The Advertiser 5 July, 1913. p. 21.

Port Augusta, July 3. [1913]

-Work is proceeding steadily on all parts of the Port Augusta-Kalgoorlie railway line. Ballast ing is going on at Mundallio, and the permanent way near the Cathedral cutting. It is intended that a camp shall be formed near the Mundallio pit, so that the men may be handy to their work. The adzers and borers have been working diligently, and the huge stacks of sleepers ready, for laying show the result of their work. The Saltia bore is now down about 200 ft., and a limited supply of water has been struck. The pump is expected to arrive next week by the Paringa. At the cutting through Flinders-terrace the bridge is nearly complete. At the Cathedral Hill gangs are still busily delving into the sand. The Jervois-bridge is well in hand also. The approaches to the bridge are being built up about 40 ft. either way to ensure stability. The stone for this is taken from the beach north of the mill and from the head of the gulf. It is a natural shell and sand concrete, extremely tough, and is excellent material for the purpose required. On the road at the deviation. metalling is going on apace.

Temporary lines have been laid for the small hopper trucks, thus greatly facilitating the work. Near the depot a number, of men are busy. The principals of the second running shed, are up, and roofing will begin almost at once. The foundations also are laid for the temporary carriage workshop. This big shed will be 150 x 41 ft., and will contain a carshop, paintshop and offices. Six 1,100 gallon tanks are also handy to the shed. At the Gantry the Marion steam navvy is being fitted together under the supervision of Mr. G. Gahan. This piece of machinery is considerably bigger than the navvy at work in the ballast pit, and was manufactured by the Marion Steam Shovel Company, Ohio, U.S.A. Its working weight is 33½ tons, and it is made after model 36. It is a well-built machine, practically all steel, and designed to run on the 4 ft. 8½ in. gauge. It drives itself, can go forward or backward, and there is ample provision made for proper lubrication. The machine carries, coal-and water. The boom of the navvy is 24 ft. long, the extreme height of boom above the rail being 23 ft. 6 in. The extreme height of the dump over the rail is 15 ft. The dipper, or scoop, has a capacity of 1½ cubic yards.

There are six engines on the monster, and these are fed by a vertical boiler, which has a pressure up to 125 lb. It can swing in a complete circle on roller bearings, and two men can work the machine, which has a capacity of about 1,000 cubic yards a day. Mr. Gahan's men have their hands pretty full at present. The second locomotive, B 13 class for the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge, is being fitted. No. 44 is finished, has been tested, and has run well Its stable mate. No. 51, also comes from Queensland.

There are three engines under steam. Last Monday the officers-of the Commonwealth railways construction branch were removed to the new premises in Railway town. These will be electrically lighted as soon as the plant has been installed. Telephone connection was fixed on Monday. On Saturday last the staff was augmented by the arrival from Queensland of Mr. Prophet, the assistant engineer, and second in command to the supervising engineer, Captain Saunders. Mr. Prophet is a man of wide experience gathered in the East Indies, South Africa, Argentine, and elsewhere, and is a highly capable and conscientious officer.