COAST-CH.CH. EXPRESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 March 1929, Page 5

COAST-CH.CH. EXPRESS

COLLISION AT KIRWEE PASSENGERS’ LUCKY ESCAPE (Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, March 24.

The passenger express from the West Coast collided with a goods train standing on the main line at Kirwee Station on Saturday afternoon. Three carriages, a van, and five or six waggons were damaged, but not derailed.’ No one was injured, although passengers were flung from their seats. The damaged engine was able to haul the train on to Christchurch, where it arrived an hour hour and a' quarter late. Railway officers are unable to state the cause of the accident, but it is thought that the signals were at fault.

The damaged rolling stock was left at Kirwee, and the passengers were transferred to other carriages.

SIGNALLING AT FAULT?

(Special to ‘‘Star.’’)

CHRISTCHURCH, March 25.

No definite explanation has yet been assigned to the cause of the collision between the West Coast express and the standing goods train at Kirwee. Railway officials are engaged in a thorough investigation of • the mishap,, and are taking statements from persons concerned. An inquiry will very likely be held.

It has been ascertained that . the goods train which was scheduled to arrive at Middleton at 4 p.m., was for some reason running late. One suggested cause is that the automatic signalling apparatus developed a fault. The signalling is worked on the three light system, and with the exception of Arthur’s Pass, operates along the Midland line as far as Stillwater. The line is divided into sections, and each is. equipped with a signal. As soon as a train crosses the junction of one section, the signal Shows red to protect the train from the rear. As soon as the train completes the section, the red light gives way to an orange one, and this in turn changes to green, when the train has completed two sections from the first signal. The system is periodically inspected for fault.