LONG TRAIN TRIP

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 2, 28 September 1942, Page 4

LONG TRAIN TRIP

Express To Auckland Runs

Into Slip

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ■ AUCKLAND, September 27. Passengers on the express which left Wellington on Friday afternoon for Auckland had a tiring trip lasting more than 23 hours, because of an extensive slip which came down on• tlie main trunk line a little south of M atmiha station, between Taunutruuui and To Kuiti, at 3.30 a.m. on Saturday. The slip occurred a short time before I he express reached Waimiha, arid the train ploughed its way well into a huge pile of mud and rubble which hail been washed down by the recent heavy rains. No serious damage was caused to the locomotive or any of the carriages, and there was no derailment. A relief train was dispatched as soon as possible from Frankton Junction, and passengers and luggage were transhipped in the early morning. However, it was 8.50 a.m. before the relief express left Waimiha. The passengers were again transhipped at Frankton Junction, and after a clear run through eventually arrived at Auckland at 2.20 p.m. The express was also slightly delayed on the line as far as Paekakar'iki, because of power failures in the Wellington district.

The passengers were shaken when the train entered the slip and mud spattered over a few of the carriages.

On Saturday afternoon a passage was cleared through the slip.