Rail Traffic Delayed

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 12

Rail Traffic Delayed

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 12. Peak flooding at Otorohanga dislocated all north-south rail traffic fol- more than 15 hours. Train waggons of perishable vegetables which were due at Auckland at 4 a.m. today, were delayed about nine hours in spite of express arrangements once the line was cleared about 7 amOther goods traffic has been delayed up to 24 hours because of the bank-up of trains.

A Railways Department spokesman said today: “You can say the flooding has thrown us a full day behind in goods services." More than 200 passengers on two north-south services had to be transhipped by bus between Te Awamutu and Taumarunui. The passenger train due at Auckland at 8.50 am. did not arrive until 11.15. The railway line at Otorohanga became clear of floodwaters about 7 am., and police reported that roads in the district were also open this morning. Today’s Limited express from Auckland arrived at Wellington six hours behind schedule this afternoon as '.ne result of the flooding at Otorohanga, and also because

of engine trouble near Mangaweka. Passengers on both the Limited and early express, which arrived at Wellington three hours and a half behind schedule at 10-28 a.m., were taken by bus from Te Awamutu to Taumarunui. The Automobile Association reported this afternoon that the only North Island roads now out to all traffic were from Opotiki to Gisborne, by way of the Waioeka gorge, and Opotiki to Gisborne by way of the Cape road.

The Stratford-Ohura highway was still closed by a slip at the Stratford end of the Whangamomona gorge tonight. Most other roads and the Stratford-Okaimkura railway were open.