Derailment cuts Lyttelton water

Press, 7 December 1988, Page 1

Derailment cuts Lyttelton water

By

NIGEL MALTHUS

A locomotive derailment at the Heathcote entrance to the Lyttelton rail tunnel cost Lyttelton half its water supply yesterday.

The locomotive was travelling toward Lyttelton about 11.45 a.m. when it was caught on a “runaway” spur — a safety device to stop uncontrolled trains entering the tunnel. It ploughed into a bank and toppled on its side. The two crewmen were

shaken but not hurt, apart from minor grazes. But the real casualty of the mishap was the water supply to the lower parts of Lyttelton, which runs in two pipes from a reservoir above Tunnel Road

through the tunnel to Lyttelton. Both pipes, buried in the bank, were burst by the impact. The break cut the supply to the waterfront and the lower two or three streets of the town, including most of the business district, said the Lyttelton Borough engineer, Mr John Christensen.

The council had radio messages broadcast and sent staff door-to-door through the affected areas, explaining what had happened. The pipes were repaired by 9.30 p.m., but residents were warned that the water would be discoloured and were told to run off the water until it cleared. Mr Christensen said the upper part of the town was served by a separate pumped feed, through the road tunnel ventilation shaft, and was not affected. The Railways Corporation

called in two 40-tonne road cranes and an excavator to replace the locomotive on the rails.

The 66-tonne locomotive appeared undamaged apart from a crushed cab side but would be written off as it had reached the end of its economic life, said Railways’ area track manager, Mr Harvey Armstrong.

The locomotive was one of the 1968-vintage DJ class. Railways staff would not speculate publicly on the cause

of the mishap, which was being investigated. The runaway spur is controlled by a set of points that is normally open — to steer any unexpected traffic into the bank and stop it entering the singleline tunnel. It is closed only to allow a train through, and at all other times a red light should prevent unauthorised traffic proceeding. The engine driver and locomotive assistant were sent home to rest after the crash, and were expected to be interviewed about it todav.