RAILWAY LINE CLEAR TO PUHA: OPEN IN TWO WEEKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22656, 5 June 1948, Page 6

RAILWAY LINE CLEAR TO PUHA: OPEN IN TWO WEEKS

Steady progress is being made by (he maintenance gangs clearing the Gisborne-Motuliora railway line of flood debris. After nearly three weeks Fulia lias been reached.

If there are no big holdups Otoko is expected to be reached next week, after which the clearing should be easier and it is hoped that the line will be open shortly after the middle of the month Between 35 and 40 men have been working on the line, and considering the state of the track progress has bee n good. A large part of the line was covered by floodwaters and thick silt has had to be removed in many places. Metal ballasting was washed away in many sections and this has had to be replaced and sleepers straightened. Bridges have had to be examined and wood replaced. Since the flood only a works train carrying the men to and from Gisborne to their daily task has been operating over the line.

In order to assist in the urgent cartage to Gisborne of wool stored at Waipaoa, several trucks full of bales are to be attached to the works train and brought into Gisborne each day. The floodwaters swept through the wool store and the wool must now be processed. The first of the wool was brougtit to Gisborne on Thursday, three trucks, carrying about 50 bales, being attached to Die works train that night A large quantity of wool will be transported to Gisborne by road. Maintenance gangs are busy on the railway south, patching up small subsidences and other damage which occurred during the heavv rain three weeks ago.