SOUTH EXPRESSES CANCELLED

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 6

SOUTH EXPRESSES CANCELLED

Wash-Out At Rakaia

Bridge ROAD OPEN AT MIDNIGHT

With the railway line at the northern approach to the Rakaia bridge swinging in mid-air about 9.30 p.m., i the night express and special train i from Christchurch to Dunedin were ■ cancelled last evening. The flooded ! river had pierced the ramp about 8 ! p.m. and by 11 p.m. the trailing sec- . tion of the line was reported to be; under two feet of water. The Rakaia river swept over its banks on the northern side and crossed I the railway and road bridge approaches to the south of the overhead 1 bridge which spans the railway. It is unlikely that the south-bound ' express will be able to get through . this morning, but passengers may -be : transferred to buses for ferrying across ! the traffic bridge to join another train at Rakaia. No decision •vill be made . until an inspection is possible in day- ' light. Ballast trains are being marshalled and repair gangs assembled to restore the damage. Cars were still getting through after midnight, although there was about 10 inches of water across the road. At 7 p.m. the road was dry; but the flood encroached quickly alter 8 p.m. and later it was reported that the river had risen a foot at the mouth. A traffic inspector was on duty directing cars to go through the flood waters in single file on the crown of the road. A traction engine standing by had to assist some which got into difficulties. The wash-out caused more than normal concern because hundreds of Rugby football enthusiasts wished to see the test match at Dunedin to-day. The regular 11 p.m. express and the special train half an hour later were to carry about 1200 persons to Dunedin. Many others had apparently arranged to travel by road. Intending passengers on the usual 11.3 p.m. tram to Dunedin dispersed quickly alter it had been announced that the train would not run. Several passengers who had travelled from the north yesterday set about to find accommodation for the night, while others elected to spend the night on the station platform in the hope that the situation might improve, and that a train would be pul on later. Ardent football fans, determined not to be thwarted, hired taxis to take them to Dunedin. It was considered that if the main traffic road was not open, they could get through by way of the Rakaia Gorge. One driver with a modern saloon arranged to take five passengers at a totpl cost of £3O. At 11.30 p.m. passengers expecting to leave on the 11.40 p.m. special were still arriving at the station, and although some expressed regret most returned to their llbmes without much comment. All railway fares will be refunded by the Railways Department after 9 o clock this morning.