VICTORIAN FLOODS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 April 1939, Page 5

VICTORIAN FLOODS

GOODS TRAIN DERAILED | BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] MELBOURNE, April J. 4-. Becoming derailed by Hood waters near Benalla, the engine of a goods train is now lying across the line. It delayed the south-bound Sydney express to-day. The mishap occurred early this morning, when the goods train entered portion of the main north-east line, the ballast, of which was washed out by floods. As the train entered the damaged section, the track collapsed, and the engine rolled over. Eight trucks were derailed. Flood Watters are still swirling round the engine. It is impossible to establish the extent of the damage to the track. The Sydney express, due to leave Albury with 440 passengers at 7.30 a.m., was held back, the passengers travelling by a round about route, and arriving to-night, 11A hours late. The fireman of the derailed goods train said that the train encountered a terriffic storm, and without warning the engine turned over in pitch darkness. He sat on the side of the engine until daylight, when the guard set out to tramp six miles to Benalla, where a. warning was sent. out. Efforts were made all day to clear the line, but the. Sydney expresses from Melbourne tonight were diverted via Tocumal, a longer route, which will lengthen the journey by three hours.