SIGNALLING SYSTEM

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 13

SIGNALLING SYSTEM

Lyttelton Line Problems

The failure of manuallyoperated signals on the Heathcote-Lytte '.ton railway line on Wednesday has led to the introduction of the tablet system of operating the lignt's. After the derailment of a 55-ton electric locomotive in the Heathcote station yard on April 5. the automatic signals were changed over to manual operation on Monday, but on Wednesday there were two failures of the signals, one at Heathcote and another st Lyttelton. The demand for the automatic signal system on the line to be operated tnanuaHy came from a meeting of lee Christchurch branch of the liocpsnotive Engineers', Firemen’s and Cleaners' Association last week,

Mr R. G. H Quiney. secretary of the association, said last evening that the reversion to the tablet system had been taken in the interests of public safety He would not comment any further on the problems being encountered with the signa] system. The district traffic manager of railways (Mr E. C. BTittenden) said last evening that tie could not comment until the inquiry into the derailment was completed. The inquiry into the cause of the derailment will be held in Christchurch on Monday. Those taking part are Mr, W. V. Steveneson, chief transport superintendent of the Railways Department. Mr R. F. Black, chief mechanical engineer. Mr T. D Stevenson, supervising engineer of signals and communications, Mr E. A. Jones, representing the Locomotive Engineers’. Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association, and Mr P. Read, of the Christchurch branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants