RAIL REPAIRS COMPLETED

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24503, 28 February 1945, Page 6

RAIL REPAIRS COMPLETED

RECORD ACHIEVEMENT (P.A.) ' TIMARU. February 27, Repairs to the last link in the 107 rtiiles of the Main Trunk railway between Selwyh and Morven damaged by floods last week were completed this morning. When a breakdown crane tested the lihe OVer the fllled-in washout at the Temuka bridge. The express from Christchurch crossed the bridge safely and reached Timaru at 1 p.m. There were two major washouts, 37 smaller washouts, two major bridge repairs, and a large number of minor bridge repairs and reballasting Of some miles of the permanent way to bC contended with; The task of synchronising the completion of repairs to the 107 miles of line called for considerable organisation and careful timing. More than 300 men from the Railways the Army, and Works Department were placed on the job. and they worked day and night. .The: gap. at Temuka was 140 feet Wide and 25 feet deep, ftnd 8000 cubic yards of shingle were pushed into the gap in two .days and three-quarters. While the wow of the big machines was spectacular* Men with shovels played a part in opening the line in what must be a record achievement for the Railways Department. V.. , ’■ ■ „