RAILWAY INQUIRY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 41, 28 November 1940, Page 3

RAILWAY INQUIRY

SPEED OF DERAILED EXPRESS.

MORE EVIDENCE BY EMPLOYEES.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, November 27

The inquiry into the derailment of the Limited express near Mercer on the morning of October* 28, Avhen an engine-driver and fireman AA’ere killed, Avas continues to-day.

Sir Francis Frazer presided, Avith Professor S. E. Lamb and Mr F. TV Furkert. Messrs V. R. Meredith and I. Thomas represented the Minister ior Raihvays and the Railway Department, and G. P. Finlay and A. E. Johnston watched the interests of. the E’.;ginedrivers’ and Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association. Mr L. Mcllvride, general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Raihvay Servants, appeared on behalf of his union. Mr P. G. Harkness, of Hamilton, appeared for the v f idow of the fireman, and Mr N. S. Johnson for the AvidoAV of the engine-driver. Counsel Avere also present for various passengers who Avere injured. lan Graham, a porter stationed at Huntly, said that Avhen the northbound . Limited travelled through Huntly that morning, he remarked to Ganger Wallife: “That’s McCubbin. One of these days he Avill kill himself.” When going over the points at the station the train swayed a bit. Though travelling faster than usual, the speed Avas not a great deal faster, as all expresses travelled, through rapidly. What caused him to say, “One day he AA’ill kill himself,” Avas the fact that there Avere bends in the line and facing points. His remark did not relate specifically to Driver McCubbin, but to drivers of the Limited as a class. George Paterson, a surfaceman stationed at Huntly, said he thought the train Avas travelling faster than usual through Huntly. He had known McCubbin well; .but apart from the apparently excessive speed of the Limited on that day lie had no personal knowledge of McCubbin travelling at greater than normal speed. Clarence William Barret, a porter, stationed at Whangamarino, said he Avould not like to say that the speed of the train Avas doAvn to the 30 miles an hour restriction, Avliich commenced immediately ahead of the station. Hie speed seemed, hoAvever, to he about usual for the Limited. Brian Mansfield Beecliey, a surfaceman stationed at Mercer, said that when the train passed he Avas definitely of opinion that the speed Avas in excess of that normally run by express trains.

Jim Owen Harris, a porter stationed at Itangiriri, did not consider that the train passed through at a speed faster than usual. Police Sergeant Congratulated. Sergeant T. Kelly, of Pukekolie, detailed his examination of the express and the permanent Avay after the derailment. The draw-bar of the engine had snapped off, alloAving the carriages to rush past, each carriage being lifted off the rail on the left side until clear of the engine, when they came down again on the rails. There Avas nothing to indicate that there had been an obstruction on the line.

The chairman congratulated Sergeant Kelly on his observation and an excellent statement.

Constable FJ Pollard, stationed at Mercer, described hearing a short whistle, accompanied by a rumbling sound, causing him to run out of the police station. There Avas no chance of getting infco the engine. He turned off Avhat steam cocks he could see; but steam still escaped. He described the removal of the bodies of the engine creAV.

Rupert Cecil Hayes, a-surfaceman of Rangiriri, said the express seemed to be handled in the normal manner and to travel at the usual speed. Edward Henry Burroughs, an automatic signal maintainer at Ohinewai, gave similar evidence. Arthur Thomas Baker, another surfaceman, considered that the train was travelling at normal speed, if anything a shade slower than usual.

An engine-driver with more than 30 years’ service, Thomas John Ching, said lie had driven the Limited express and knew the time-table was “tight” between Frankton and Paorata, which, is oni the Auckland! side of Mercer. That was generally understood, and about the depot one heard now and again, discussions about it. A driver taking oyer would know that he would have to “keep at it” to maintain the schedule. It was a fight against time all along. Detailed Table of Speea. A detailed table showing comparisons between, the speed and running times of express trains between station and station on the run from Frankton to Mercer and tlioya of the derailed Limited express was produced, by Charles Henry McLeod Hawk, assistant engineer on the staff of the distinct engineer at Auckland. “It will be. seen,” lie said, “that the speed of train (188- (the derailed express) was kept within reasonable limite as far as Ngaruawahia. Front there, however, the speed was generally considerably increased and tho average speed attained a maximum of (il l milles an hour between Huntly and Oliinewai. Thence to the point of derailment, though the actual average speed dropped, it was still maintained at a much higher figure than average. Speeds wore calculated from tine minimum running times, allowing a, maximum speed of 50 miles an hour, with adjustments for curves and grades, as well as permanent and temporary speed restrictions in force on October 28 over the whole run from Ngaruawahia to the point of derailment. The actual average speed maintained by No. 688 on October 28 had been worked out, and found to to? much higher than the corresponding average speed of trains over this stretch of line, calculated on the 50 miles an hour basis already mentioned.” The hearing was adjourned.