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533. GENERAL MATTERS OF POLICY (Contd.)
2. Programme of light weight diesel operation over the next five years (Contd.)
1. The vehicles are required for working schemes in the Central Division an Liverpool Lime Street - St.Helens - Wigan scheme, and the traffic requirements of these schemes are such that the ordinary (MC + DT) with 2 x 150 H.P. B.U.T. engines would be insufficiently powered.
2. It is not possible to put two higher powered engines under one vehicles.
3. The power required can only be obtained by having -
| Cost | ||||
| £ | ||||
| 2 MC each with 2 X 150 H.P. B.U.T. | ||||
| engines, i.e. 600 H.P. | 9,050 | |||
| or | 2 MC each with 1 X 230 H.P. B.U.T. | |||
| engines, i.e. 460 H.P. | 8,215 | |||
| or | 2 MC each with 1 X 238 H.P. R.R. | |||
| engines, i.e. 476 H.P. | 9,6505 | |||
4. The proposal to have one high powered diesel engine under each vehicle rather than 2 x 150 H.P. engines under each vehicle is considered by the technical officers to be much more satisfactory on the grounds of easy construction and accessibility, thus considerably helping the maintenance, it being clearly understood that no re-design of underframe is required.
5. On the basis of reliability, it is estimated that the reduced maintenance cost using Rolls Royce equipment more than offsets the interest charges on the initial capital value as indicated by the cost per mile of the two types given below :-
| Estimated maintenance cost (power equipment only) per motor car mile |
|||||
| 1 x 230 H.P. B.U.T. engine | 4.25d. | ||||
| 1 x 238 H.P. Rolls Royce engine | 2.61d. | ||||
Subsequently, as a result of a further letter from Mr.Robson, a meeting is being arranged with the technical officers of the Commission at which the operating aspect will also be considered.