§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when is it expected that the Zaria-Kano section of the Nigerian Railway will be relaid so as to carry the heavy locomotives and rolling-stock; how many of these engines have been delivered and how many wagons; how many more of each type are under construction; and when will they be delivered.
Mr. Creech JonesThe re-laying of the Zaria-Kano section of the Nigerian Railways with 60 lb. rails has already begun. About 90 miles of track is involved, and delivery of materials has been promised at a rate which will permit of four miles of track being relaid per month. This work is being done in the ordinary course of track overhaul and sufficient special-type light engines are available to work trains over this section of the line.
Thirty-four heavy locomotives have been supplied to the Nigerian Railways since the 1st January, 1946. Fourteen were made in Canada. Twenty were Vulcan locomotives shipped from the United Kingdom last April. These are being used to full capacity on other sections of the line. In addition, 52 locomotives of a similar type are now on order in this country. Delivery of the first batch of four of these is due at the works in December. Thereafter: delivery is planned at the rate of four locomotives in each of the first four months of 1949 followed by two each in May, June and July, and one in August. Delivery will be resumed in November with eight locomotives followed by four in December, and two each in January and February, 1950. This will complete deliveries against the 216W first order for 43 locomotives. Deliveries against a subsequent order for nine more locomotives of the same type are planned to begin in August, 1950, and be completed in the following December. Ten more main line locomotives are on order in Canada and delivery is expected to be made at the end of the first quarter of next year. Fifty hopper wagons have been delivered. There are 571 other wagons on order, most of which are bogie covered goods wagons. The wagons are due to be delivered at intervals over the next 18 months, commencing in December, 1948. In addition, 384 bodies for covered wagons are due for delivery over the period May, 1949, to September, 1950.