RAIL-CAR HITS SLIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 11

RAIL-CAR HITS SLIP

Damage >to the front cowcatcher through hitting some loose metal from a slip on the Midland line has put the rail-car running between Christchurch and Hokitika out of operation for a short time, and the service yesterday morning was carried on by steam train (states the "Press"). The damage to the rail-car is not serious, although the right-hand side of the front cowcatcher was fairly badly damaged, and the bottom 6f the right-hand side was badly dented and scratched for the length of the car. Heavy rain in the ranges, accompanied by some violent electrical storms, caused some slips, and as a result the rail-car arrived in Christchurch about an hour and twenty-five minutes late. It was due in Christchurch at 10.23 p.m., but on Tuesday evening did not get in until just before midnight. Visibility was very bad all the time, and although the rail-car was only once delayed by a slip, the driver was oftenforced to travel very slowly, and many times practically stopped. Passengers in the rail-car said it was held up for some time when it struck the slip. After some work had been done to clear away the line, the rail-car- proceeded over the loose metal very slowly, and thereafter took all due precautions until it was well clear of the high country where slips were possible.