MIDLAND LINE REOPENED

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1945, Page 4

MIDLAND LINE REOPENED

NORMAL SERVICES RESUMED. Quick work by the Railway Department with .the aid of two bulldozers enabled the extensive slip on the Midland line near Rocky Creek to be cleared last evening, and the first train,-a goods train from Greymouth, negotiated the affected section about midnight. The goods train from Christchurch arrived at Greymouth a little behind time but the railcar was practically on time. Though the slip was large and comprised hundreds of tons of rubble, no serious damage was caused to the permanent way, apparently • the huge volume of water mixed in with the mullock acting as a kind of cushion. The very reason that caused the slip, water pressure, played a large part in its early clearance, for all yesterday huge volumes of water sluiced down the hillside and eventually had the affect of washing much of the loose debris into the Otira River. It is now known the initial trouble began at Nellie’s Creek and was the result of a cloud burst. Railwaymen in the vicinity just before the occurrence have reported that there was a loud noise followed by a deluge of rain which ultimately spread throughout the valley. Vast deposits of water formed and rushed down the hillside 'scouring out soil and rock much of ■which surged on to the railway line and road to form a barrier. Work has now commenced on clearing the road now that the more important rail route has been re-opened, but it is not expected that the highway will be ready for traffic for a couple of days. In the meantime, the Railway Department is busy completing the services interrupted by the blockage. Held in side stations along the Otira line for the past couple of days 7000 tons of goods, 6000 tons of which comprised coal, are being sent forward to Canterbury destinations, though first right of way was given to perishable goods, delayed by the hold-up. The buses which were brought from Christchurch with passengers over the Lewis Pass route are expected to be returned to-day,.while those Greymouth buses remaining in Christchurch are also expected shortly. A Christchurch railcar was stranded in Greymouth and will be attached to this evening’s railcau to Christchurch, which as a result will be a doubleunit.