FIRE IN SIGNAL BOX

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22592, 23 December 1938, Page 10

FIRE IN SIGNAL BOX

Expresses Delayed At Auckland SLIGHT DAMAGE DONE (PKEBB AfIaOCIiTIOM TELKOBAM.) AUCKLAND, December 22. An outbreak of fire in an automatic signal box almost uriderneath the Gladstone road overbridge delayed the departure of two expresses for Wellington, and temporarily suspended shunting operations in the Auckland railway yards to-night. Although not extensive, the damage interfered with the signalling and points system, and temporary expedients had to be adopted before trains could leave the platform. The fire was noticed at 7 o’clock, 15 mintues before the Limited express was scheduled to leave. With holiday traffic nearing its height, hundreds of persons were awaiting the departure of the two trains; but comparatively few were aware of the clouds of smoke rising from the signal-box several hundred yards further down the line. Members of the 'yard staff suppressed the outbreak before the arrival of three fire-engines from the central and Parnell stations. The fusing of a cable was the cause of the fire, which placed a large portion of the signalling system out of commission. Some of the instruments in the box were disabled, and sections of the wiring and flooring were also damaged. The effects of the disruption were transmitted to a second signal-box controlling the main line on which the expresses were to travel. With all signal lights showing red, traffic in the yards was at a standstill, and it was necessary for the points to be changed by hand before the Limited express could leave the station at 7.29 p.m. The second express was also delayed for about 10 minutes. Repairs to the damaged equipment were commenced by a staff of electricians. Temporary measures were adopted to operate the points, and enable normal services to be maintained.