Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1922
In May 1921 KCR ordered two sets of motor railcars with trailers from the Hall-Scott Motor Car Company of San Francisco. The intention was to use them on local services in New Territories where passenger demand did not justify long passenger trains with heavy locomotives. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1922
The coaches were powered by 150 H.P six-cylinder internal combustion engines burning kerosene . The cylinders were 8 in. by 10 in. adapted for use by kerosene as a fuel. Th motor was equipped with a high-tension magneto and distributor with coil connected to two sets of spark plugs. The air compressor was two-cylinder , water-cooled and powed directly from the engine. <Read more ...>
Each coach could accommodate between 60 and 80 passengers depending on whether configured for a combination 1st and 2nd Class or 2nd and 3rd class passenger seats.<Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1922
Each powered car also came with a matching unpowered trailer coach. These units could also be connected up and towed by steam-locomotive passenger trains <Read more ...>
Detailed planning and negotiations for construction and financing of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (“KCR”) commenced in 1905. The KCR (British Section), operating as a Hong Kong Government Department, was completed and formally opened on 1st October 1910. The Chinese Section ( “CKR”) running from the border at Lo Wu to Canton was completed a year later opening on 5th October 1911.<Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1947
KCR No. 26 was one of twelve ( Nos 21-32 ) ex British War Department locomotives shipped to Hong Kong between December 1946 and March 1948 to alleviate the acute shortage of engines following the end of the 2nd world war. They were phased out progressively between 1957 and 63 being replaced by twelve diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering and General Motors. <Read more ...>
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1948
KCR No. 23 was one of twelve ( Nos 21-32 ) ex British War Department locomotives shipped to Hong Kong between December 1946 and March 1948 to alleviate the acute shortage of engines following the end of the 2nd world war. They were phased out progressively between 1957 and 63 being replaced by twelve diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering and General Motors.
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1948
KCR No. 23 was one of twelve ( Nos 21-32 ) ex British War Department locomotives shipped to Hong Kong between December 1946 and March 1948 to alleviate the acute shortage of engines following the end of the 2nd world war. They were phased out progressively between 1957 and 63 being replaced by twelve diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering and General Motors. <Read more ...>
Charles Gesner van der Voort had started his career in Rotterdam, at Holland-China Trading Company (HCHC). In 1938, he went to Shanghai for the firm. The Japanese interned him, and most other Dutch nationals, from 1943-45. In camp, he met his wife Nancy and they married after the war. After a leave in The Netherlands, they returned to the Orient, where Charles continued to work for HCHC in Hong Kong.
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos):
1910
Beacon Hill Tunnel - South Portal (c.1910) Thanks scottp for refreshing my memories of this tunnel.
The stone/brick work has survived more than a century, and it is good to know they found another use for this tunnel. Across the top of this old photo, the lettering "1906 Beacon Hill Tunnel 1910" can still be partially seen in the current photo. <Read more ...>
