SUDDEN LANDSLIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 3

SUDDEN LANDSLIDE.

"HIGH AS ENGINE FUNNEL." EVENTFUL TRIP DESCRIBED. \ araphie story of the blockage of the Main Trunk line was told by a passenger Mr. J. S. Macarthur, of Wellington, yesterday. He said the journey from Wellington to Taihape was devoid of incident, and the weather was fair, but when Taihape was reached there was lightning and thunder, with a deluge of rain. "The rain crntinued until we arrived at Obakune," said Mr. Macarthur. "On arrival there we were informed by the guard of the. down LimitecT that there had been a wash-out a mile north of Raurimu, and that a gang had been sent to fix it. When our train got to the wash-out it was found that _ the 1 damage had been n>ore or less repaired, but the men were commandeered in case of further trouble. This proved a wise move. Very shortly our train met with more trouble. On rounding a bend, the engine ran into a foot or so of running water. The- train wae running slowly when suddenly the driver saw a bank or side of a hill 'coming at him.' This was at 1.30 a.m. Instantaneously he applied the emergency brake, and the jar was felt right through the train." Mr. Macarthur said that the driver backed the train, and in this operation was assisted by the landslide. The slip was as high as the top of the engine funnel, and tapered for the whole length of the side of the train with the exception of the last two ears. Evidence of that could be seen by the level of the dirt on the cars next morning. The Kar ,g cot to work and cleared the line. The°express went on to Owhango, where it arrived at 3.30 a.m. Every credit was due to the skill and presence of mind of the driver of the engine. It was considered that had the engine been a lighter one the whole train would have been swept over a 40ft bank. "A word of praise is due to the guard of the train and the inspector," added Mr. Macarthur. "They were tireless in their efforts to assist the passengers." The express remained at Owhango for ]2 hours. The rest of the trip was uneventful.