MIDLAND RAILWAY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 111, 11 May 1923, Page 4

MIDLAND RAILWAY

NEW DEVIATION REQUIRED AT

OTARAMA.

CHRISTOHURCH, 10th May. "Railway communication with Arthur's Pass may be restored in a fortnight's time," stated. Mr. A. J. M'Credie, district railway engineer. "A good deal depends upon the weather, and if the rain stops it may be possible to do the work Somewhat earlier, while if it continues communication, may nofc be restored for a longer period." "What So you think of the position beyond the big-break at Otarama?"

"Worse than I expected," Mr. M'Credie replied. "At No. 8 tunnel itis just possible for a man to squeeze through the. opening in the obstruction which blocks the mouth of the tunnel."

In rpply to a further question, Mr. M'Credie stated he hoped to have the wash-out between tunnels 9 and 10 repaired in a week's time. The break was quite as long as that at Otarama (132 feet), but the gulf below was only half as deep, somewhat over 30 feet, and a deviation would not be necessary. In regard to the deviation at Otarama., Mr. M'Crcdie stated that the new. line would bo taken thirty-five feet inside the edge of the gulf formed by the. big slide. This would mean the new line would bo about seventy feet from the old line, which hangs suspended across the gulf To construct the deviation it would be necessary to make a. cutting ten feet deep through the side of the hill. Repair work will be started immediately on tho line at the Otarama slip. So that work may be carried on with fell dispatch, arrangements have been made to send a. relief.train from Greymouth through the Arthur's Pass tunnel. Operations can then be put in hand at both ends of the series of slips.

Questioned ;»> (■) tlm- powibility of toad wiflyajjaicatwo with Arthur's J&s-Sj

Mr, M'Credie stated that in his opinion it was absolutely impossible, and the quickest way of getting to the West Coast from Christchurch was by way of Wellington and Greymouth,