A TRAIN HUNG UP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 113, 12 May 1908, Page 2

A TRAIN HUNG UP.

INCIDENT AT KAUEAPAEAPA.

Traffic has been to a certain extent disorganised on the Kaipara line during the -last few: as a result of the. heavy rains fell last week. The-engi-neering staff h2d recently found it necee-. sary to strengthen; the approaches to the railway bridge crossing the Kaukapa-kapa -Eiver, and these improvements, had scarcely been effected when heavy" wea-ther-set in, with the result that the rivei; became considerably swollen.- On Friday afternoon the driver of the up, train noticed that the river, was rising, and it is reported that the bridge "also"gave indications, of ; being under a-very- severe strain, so strong was the rush of water. Later in the afternoon, on the down trip, the engine-dri-ver. found it neceesary to bring the train to a standstill, while an examination was made of the..state of the bridge previous to crossing the river. The stream was found to be running strongly,' and there was evidence , that the approaches had been weakened, and-the earth supports washed away. The state of the bridge wm such that the train was unable to proceed, as any effort to cross the structure would have been dangerous. Helensville was immediately, communicated with, and a relief "train despatched to the scene. The bridge was round to be strong enough to permit of passengers crossing, and bein<* transferred, to the train' on the opposite side of the-river. Special gangs of workmen were also despatched from Auckland, and, the work of strengthening the supports proceeded with. -re .

luring the following days the. traffic -was considerably Tipeet,.two. trains fcein<» employed,;-that on the KankapakapaJide «™n«4«heriji. and as the -bridge, and there trapping to the: traatt waiting- oe the opposite , tide. JJeanwhile the. flood waters subsided, and the engjgeerand Msstaffßeeded..in rePlaong'.the damage, done, reeuljt palueomnuinication "was restonri,, and Jast night the train which' lad'teinivi.raik up snccsssfully. crossed, ihd resumed its ordinary.running.-