HUTT RAILWAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1927, Page 8

HUTT RAILWAY

BRIDGE SPAN MISSING

OPENING DATE UNCERTAIN

TRACK VIRTUALLY LAID

With stations and platforms built, and the track practically up to schedule time, the new double-track Hutt railway line looks remarkably life-like, but it is now certain that it will not be opened as expected on 31st March. The opening date, in fact/is somewhat indefinite, as it depends on things not under the control of those in charge, in particular the shipping from England of a lacking span of the river bridge. In point of actual working time, the estimated eighteen months is not likely to be exceeded. It is true that the first sod was turned early in 1925 but material was it collected nor work started in earnest until late that year. The first winter was remarkable for a great deal of time lost through wet weather, while floods took away the false work of the river bridge, which had to be sought by boats in Wellington Harbour, and replaced. Floods in April of last year prevented procuring shingle from the river bed for nearly two months.

TRACK WELL FORWARD.

As far as the 'track is concerned," it has been completed from the main line to the river bridge, and from the White's Line station to Waterloo road station, leaving only a few chains to lay, though there is a-little more in this intermediate portion that will require packing and the final ballasting. If the track were the sole requirement for the opening, it could take place practically on 31st March, as there are seven weeks to go. Even were the Kandwick road ramp still unfinished, it would be possible to give residents a service, though the overhead bridges giving access to tn'e stations cannot be gone on with "without steel parts, the, date of delivery of which is uncertain.

BRIDGE INCOMPLETE,

The portion of tho bridge missing is a complete span, which would have been in position five months ago but for a regrettable accident. This part of the bridge fell out of the slings, it is stated, when being landed, struck the ship s deck, and was damaged beyond local repjyr. An order was immediately cabled for its replacement to th* supplying contractors, but unfortunately the coal strike intervened, and now the contractors are, unable to promis» its shipment until 15th February. Even if this promise is carried out, which in view of the far-reaching effects of the strike, it may not be, this span of the bridge may not arrive till the middle of April, and -rill then have to be placed in position. The bridge with the exception of the planking and railing of the pedestrian portion, is otherwise complete ■ '

BAMPS TO BE COMPLETED.

Most of the track has been built well above the level of the stop-banks, and with the ramps, has absorbed an. enormous, quantity of shingle, but while it was obtainable from the river,'necessitating only a short haul, the work proceeded rapidly. While the river was nigh only small quantities of shingle were available, and clay from the hillside beyond the new Railway Workshops site had to be hauled a considerable distance. The dredging of shingle is being.done in-conformity-with the plans of the Hutt Eiver Board for tho control of the course of the lower part of the stream. Just at present, the dredge has scooped out the shingle above the bridge to a depth of 18ft below the surface of the stream. A service line has been run under the bridge to a spot not far below, where ample shingle is iv sight. In the meantime, only clay from the hillside is bo ing used, but by next- week, using both clay and shingle, four trains: will bo pouring in material for the biggest ramp on this section of the line, at Randwick road, the southern half of which is built. This huge earthwork has been built higher than the others to permit-its piercing, if it be found later necessary, to allow the laying of a more direct track to the workshops' site than that-in use at present. Its overbridge, save for railing and finishing touches, is complete. The White's Line overbridge will bo finished by 31st March. •

If it were not for tha haulage distance, the clay quarry would provide cheap spoil, as with the steam shovel and easily-broken-down nature of the rock and clay, nine men can keep the trains filled.

3?he electric signalling system, which must be finished before the first passenger train can be run, is well under way and its completion is not expected to delay the opening.