Picton Line Open After Repairs

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31066, 23 May 1966, Page 1

Picton Line Open After Repairs

(N'rir Zealand Press Association)

BLENHEIM, May 22

The Christchurch-Picton railway line has been cleared more than 48 hours after the crash which claimed the life of an engine driver, badly injured his co-driver, slightly injured a passenger, and w*recked more than a dozen waggons.

The first train through the area, at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, crawled through the Dashwood tunnel and over the newly-laid section of track. It carried freight for the ferry, Aramoana.

Repair gangs failed to reach their reopening “target” of midnight on Friday because, when the last rail was laid, a gap of three inches was found. The new line already laid had to be loosened and the rails adjusted so that the gap was filled. Salvage of the waggons, which were tossed into the gully beside the line to allow

track repairs, is expected to take several week-ends.

During the repairs the mobile kitchen of the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Woodbourne, supplied about 100 men with meals, teas and coffee for more than 24 hours. The most difficult task was removing the slave engine unit, which had wedged itself in the 80-yard tunnel. Powerful hydraulic jacks could not be used to full advantage because of the cramped space. In charge of the job was Mr W. J. Watkins, district mechanical engineer, of Christi church.