A LAND SLIDE

Evening Star, Issue 15174, 3 May 1913, Page 7

A LAND SLIDE

ON OTAGO CENTRAL LINE. TROOP TRAINS BLOCKED. A bad slip came down on the Otago Central railway about 6 o’clock this' morning between the 7 and 7J-mile pegs from Wirgatui—near Taioma. The 7.45 a.m. train from Dunedin had to return, and the ordinary 11.40 train was not despatched. . Three troop trains from Sutton were interfered with by the slip. Attached to one of these were 50 horse trucks containing some 3-50 horses from the military encampment. This particular train got stuck up on the steep incline near Salisbury, the two engines, it is stated, not being equal to drawing the load. The horse trucks were accordmgly detached and_ the carriages taken up the incline. When the engines returned for the horses, however, they were blocked from their objective by the land ■ slip—which had occurred in the meantime. The engines returned to the passenger cars and proceeded, leaving the trucks awaiting assistance’. The other two trains suffered the same fate as the horse trucks, being unable to get through. _ They hod on board about 800 _ Territorials for stations sontly of Wingotui. It is expected that the line will he cleared about 6 o’clock this even ; n<r there being a full gang of men working at removing the debris. A train will leave Dunedin at 7.45 a.m. to-morrow (the usual week-day time) for Clyde. This will be the earliest means of communication. The afternoon train, ordinarily duo at Duns'™ at 5.35 p.m. from Clyde, will be held up until the track is cleared.