RIMUTAKA INCLINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 January 1938, Page 4

RIMUTAKA INCLINE

VAN AND CARRIAGES DERAILED [pee pbess association.] MASTERTON, January 2. An accident which might easily have been serious occurred to the northbound Wairarapa express on the Featherston side of the Rimutaka hill shortly after 10 o’clock on Saturday morning.

The train, which was crowded with passengers, many of whom were on their way to the races at Tauherenikau, consisted of two engines, four brake vans in the front, 11 carriages, and another brake van at the rear. As it was going slowly down the incline, about three-quarters of a mile from Cross Creek, the passengers, particularly in the front carriages,.,, felt what was described as a terrific upthrust. the force of which threw many of them out of their seats, and sent luggage Hying from the racks. It was found that the fourth brake van and the following three carriages had been derailed. The second carriage was hanging at an angle of about 45 degrees, but the other two and the brake van, though off the rails, were in an upright position. Apart from minor cuts, scratches, and bruises, the passengers escaped serious injury. Luckily the accident happened at a point on the incline where the rails have a cant to the inside bank, away from the edge, where there is a sheer drop of hundreds of feet to the bed of a valley. Damage to the permanent, way was confined principally to the centre brake line, which was torn up for a short distance. The brake van and carriages suffered only minor damage.

The passengers walked down the remaining part to the hill to Cross Creek, a thick drizzle adding to their discomfort. . From Cross Creek they continued their journey in another train, which left at 11:35. nearly an hour after advice of the accident was received at Cross Creek. The line was blocked for the rest of Ihe day, the passengers on other trains being taken from Featherston to Kaitoke by buses. Through smart work by a relief gang, the van and carriages were returned to the lines by 7.30 this morning, and the Sunday rail-car service was maintained throughout the day. As yet, no official explanation of the cause of the accident has been given, but it is stated that it was due to the centre brake line tearing up.