BALLAST TRAIN DERAILED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1926, Page 6

BALLAST TRAIN DERAILED.

BLOCKS WAIKATO TRAFFIC. DELAY OF ABOUT TWO HOTJRg. DAYLJ.GHT LIMITED XOT AFFECTED Three trucks on a ballast train working .between Ohinewai and Ran<nriri railway stations were derailed this morning some time between 10 and 11 o'clock. The accident was responsible for delaying the Waikatfl-Auckland train services' for about two hours. The train which left Paeroa for Auckland at 6.37 a.m., and which leaves Frankton at 9.43 a.m., was hung up at Rangiriri, and instead of reaching Mercer at 11.47 a.m., she was not expected there before 1.30 p.m. This particular Waikato train was due at Auckland at 2.20 p.m. On inquiry at the local station this ' afternoon a "Star" reporter was informed that she would not arrive before 4 p.m. Delay was also occasioned to the train which left Auckland for Frankton at 7.15 a.m. She was due to cross the "up"' Waikato train at Ohinewai at 10.48, but was also held up on account of the derailment. It was anticipated that she would be at least an hour and a-half late at Frankton Junction, where she was scheduled to arrive at 12.15 p.m. Word was received in Auckland at about 1 p.m. to the effect that two of the three derailed wagons had been replaced on the lines. The derailment of ballast wagons is not an uncommon occurrence, the nature of the work always making it a possibility. The Daylight Limited, which left Auckland for Wellington at 7.53 a.m. to-day, was not affected, as she overtook the 7.1*5 a.m. Auckland-Frankton train at Takanini, and passed the scene of the derailment some time before the accident happened. The Daylight arrived at Frankton at 10.14 a.m.)