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KiwiRail's China-made brakes substandard

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KiwiRail's China-made brakes substandard

3News NZ

KiwiRail's decision to use China-made freight wagons has been criticised by Labour MP Clare Curran (file)

KiwiRail's decision to use China-made freight wagons has been criticised by Labour MP Clare Curran (file)

KiwiRail had to replace the brakes on all of its China-made freight wagons last year after tests found they were substandard.

The 500 wagons, worth a total of $49 million, failed to stop within the required 650 metres when fully loaded during initial tests before they entered service, according to documents obtained by Radio New Zealand.

The company replaced the brake blocks with a slightly higher-friction version.

KiwiRail said that was the quickest and most cost-effective solution, with the costs borne by the manufacturer as they were under warranty.

Labour's Clare Curran says it's appalling that the brakes weren't up to scratch.

"To have 500 wagons brought into the country and every single one of them to have to have its brake pads replaced is fairly extraordinary, and indicates poor quality workmanship, and not being fit for purpose for New Zealand conditions," she told Radio New Zealand.

"You've got to ask yourself how this managed to happen and who's accountable."

Ms Curran was critical last year when KiwiRail axed 44 jobs at its Hillside Workshops in her Dunedin South electorate, and sent the wagon work to China, where it could be done cheaper.

NZN

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Comments

7/08/2012 4:44:28 p.m.

Alex Webster wrote:

I understand "It's an ill wind that blows no one no good." I require 1700kg's of ballast for 38ft yacht. I would be happy to bury brake shoes, where they would be out of sight and out of mind. Delivery to Northland only problem --- BUT if Kiwi Rail shuffled them North I would be delighted. Not kidding.

23/07/2012 12:42:29 p.m.

Mike wrote:

How many recalls have been made on products?

Oh wait, in the last few days we had a recall here in NZ on some food products due to a listeria risk!

But The replaced brakes did work, and no doubt gave a consistant braking effect, just the braking distance exceeded the 650 mts when fully loaded while new, and no indication was given how much it was exceeded by. No indication of the speed either. Was it like 10%? There may also have been a 'bedding in' factor where brand new pads need to wear in slightly to give maximum braking effect.

No doubt the new pads wont last as long as those replaced either

They were under warantee and replaced for no charge.

The condition of the rail lines themselves would also have an effect. I dont know enough about trains, but on roads ABS improves stopping distances - do trains use such systems or do they still use the lock-up and slide principle?

Its even possible that the Kiwi rail existing rolling stock wouldn't pass the same test, but since it wasn't 'New' it may not have been tested? Nothing like an uneven playing field to measuring things.

Ms Curran will always favor union labour urinating in BBQ's over China trade. She did come out in support of the Maritime union in Auckland and chose to ignore the BBQ efforts of the same union.

22/07/2012 9:07:42 a.m.

aiden wrote:

didn't think it would take long before racists like richard turned up. no different than products made in NZ having to be recalled

20/07/2012 5:57:54 p.m.

Kim wrote:

Any brake specialist will tell you that the fix for under strenght brakes is softer pads. if the actual brakes were up to specifications the pads would have been fine. ..I'm now waiting for the first major crash...Not that the political elite will take responsibilty. "Operational" they will all cry, but i will be blaming Key and his cronies..and the media that lets him get away with it.

20/07/2012 1:35:16 p.m.

Horse wrote:

If the whining greenies out there are serious about stopping Fracking then they should stop buying anything to do with Hydro carbons which also includes any form of plastic,fuel,bitumen,paint,you name it or the fuel to process food and power.
Get real!

20/07/2012 12:50:59 p.m.

Richard Hewitt wrote:

What do you expect with the the made in China syndrome!!!