MAIN TRUNK BLOCKED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1931, Page 14

MAIN TRUNK BLOCKED

GOODS TRAIN DERAILED

EXPRESS TEN HOURS LATE

Passengers by the expresses southwards to-day were delayed some ten hours, and passengers northwards were also hampered by the derailment of a goods train made up of coal trucks at Kiokio, near To Awamutu, at about 10 o'clock last night, the cause of which is not yet stated by the Railway Department. Fourteen wagons left the lino, and besides extensive damage to the track and the wagons, the telegraph lines were wrecked, cutting off communication with all stations. Fortunately theer was no loss of life. It is considered by railwayman here that it is improbably that the train leaving the lines was due to any track imperfection; it was probably caused by the loading of the coal wagons. A preponderance of weight at one end of the wagon would cause the wheels at the other to ride light, and when one wagon left the rails the others would follow. The line was clear for traffic at 7.30 this morning. In consequence of the delays, it was expected this morning that the Main Trunk expresses would arrive at Palmorston between 4 and 5 p.m. The Taranaki and Hawkes Bay trains are not delayed. Advice from the local traffic department of the railways at about midday was that the passengers of the two expresses, due here at 9.40 a.m. and 12.38 p.m. to-day, who were transhipped into one train, are expected at Marton at 4 p.m., and should reach Wellington at 5 p.m. It is hoped to be able to detain the ferry steamer till the arrival of this express. On the train there are eleven passengers for Lyttelton, three for Nelson, four for the AVairarapa, and six for the Napier lino. The total number of passengers on the two expresses was 115, .including a number for AVellington. Last night's "Limited" northwards was able to go straight through without transhipping. The usual departmental investigation will be made.