14 T. H. HOUGHTON. 



have involved very considerable difficulties to carry them 

 on without interference with the daily traffic. 



During the Eddy regime, which commenced in 1888, the 

 work of duplications and reducing grades and easing sharp 

 curves was taken in hand. In 1891 there were 124 miles 

 of double line, which length has in 1916 been extended to 

 534. The carrying capacity of double to single line being 

 a,s 4 to 1, some idea is obtained of the extra amount of 

 traffic which can be handled. 



When the work of grade improvements commenced, there 

 were 25 miles of 1 in 30 and 1 in 33, and 185 miles of 1 in 

 40 and 1 in 42 gradients, while at the present time only 

 13J miles of 1 in 30 and 1 in 33, and 136 miles of 1 in 40 

 and 1 in 42 remain. The balance have been replaced by 1 

 in 75 and 1 in 80 grades; the alterations for the mileage 

 treated, represent an increase in the capacity of 36,000,000 

 ton-miles per annum due to grade reduction alone, while 

 the improvements made in the haulage power of locomotives 

 have also greatly added to the capacity of the system. 



Among the most important of the grade improvements 

 is the cutting out of the two Zig Zags on the Western line; 

 work at the small Zig Zag between Emu Plains and Glen- 

 brook was commenced in 1891 and completed in 1893 by a 

 single line deviation. 



The Gas Works at Eveleigh for the supply of oil gas were 

 constructed in 1892, and with necessary additions has 

 provided requirements for train lighting up to the present 

 time. 



A deviation between Muswellbrook and Singleton to effect 

 a grade improvement was carried out in 1893, and the same 

 year saw the completion of the quadru plication of the Main 

 Suburban line between Sydney and Plemington. In 1895, 

 grades on the Northern line were reduced and also on the 

 Western line. In the following year further grade improve- 



