THE RIMUTARTA ACCIDENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1881, Page 3

THE RIMUTARTA ACCIDENT.

The Hon. Mr. Richardson yesterday asked the M mister for Public Works, referring to the railway accident on the Rimutaka Incline on 11th September, 1880, by whose instructions the engine propelling the train was placed in the middle of the train and the passenger carriages in front of the engine, and what was the roa^on for so doing P Was it stated by the officora representing the Government at the coroner's inquest held in connection with this acoident, that in working this incline, constru' ted on the Fell system, it is a most important particular of the system that the engine is always placed in front of the train, and that there be either another engine or a Fell brake at the back of the train ; and is this rule rigidly observed now ? The Premier, in reply, said : -1 he system of placing passenger carriages above the engine on the Fell inoline was recommended to the Commissioner of Railways, North Island, and by the present General Manager of Eailwaj a, who conoluded to adopt it after consultation with the late Engineer-in-Chief , Mr Carruthers, who also concurred. It was adopted for the following reasons : —Ist. It was considered quite safe to push the carriages nt the speed to which trains are limited on the Inoline, which seldom, if ever, exceeds five miles an hour in ascending. 2nd. It was found from experience that at the slow speed at which trains necessarily pass through tho tunnels, the smoke, heat, and di3oomfort to passengers were tco severe to allow of thoir submitting to be placed immediately behind the engine. 3rd. There is a leß3 liabi ity to accident from oouplings breaking. 4th. From the division of train the tractive powor of the engine is better utilised, and the couplings and framings of the stock are lesß Btrained. sth. Thero ia a freedom from any danger through the train telescoping, should acoident occur to the engine, and the brake have to bring up the train on such an incline. There is always a Fell brake at tho lower end of the ascending ttain, which brake is of sufficient strength to oheck the whole train and engine, independently of the engine brake. The opinion of the officars concerned in constructing and working the incline is, that tho present nystem is the safest that can be adopted ; and no evidence could be obtained to snow, nor is there any reason to suppose, that the abnormal accident, which occurred by the blowing off of the two carriages, was in any way accelerated by their position on the train, nr>r is there any reason to aßsume that they would not have suffered the same acoident if below the engine, as the suddenness of the gust would have prevented any use of the brake.