GREASED RAILS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1924, Page 11

GREASED RAILS

ATTEMPT TO STOP A TRAIN.

(i? msGßAPH.—special to Tan posr.i

■ AUCKLAND, This Day. It was learned in Whaugarei on Tuesday night, after the return of the train from Opua, that the slipping of bogeys ot the rather marked rise "between Rust Lane crossing and the Convent was due to the greasing of the line. Once before )t happened, but it was on a higher level and on a straight and level stretch. On that occasion it was attributed to the foolishness of a youth ; on this occasion older people are seemingly responsible, because from all accounts, and including that of the District Manager (Mr. A. Stubbs), the attempt to stop the train was a very deliberate one. The site of the greasing was well within half a mile of the starting point at Whangarei station. It is a steep rise, and residents in the neighbourhood have often heard fully-laden trains skidding there. However, rumour declared that an attempt at interference of the progress of the train had been perpetrated, and rumour for once was right. From opinions obtained it seems that the line was greased with a mixture in which wheelbox oil was an ingredient. Whether that/ is really a fact will doubtless be tested. Fortunately, whoever did the work was inefficient. . Had he been otherwise, the train might easily have been held up.' In spite of copious use or sand the train was detained for about six minutes on the; rather steep rise referred to, but after a noisy struggle, which indicated a lot to nearby residents, it was able to proceed, and the return journey was made without further trouble.