TRAIN LOSES ITS WAY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 June 1925, Page 6

TRAIN LOSES ITS WAY.

EXTRA 50 MILES JOURNEY

SIGNALMAN’S STRANGE MISTAKE

It is hardly conceivable that a train with a full load of passengers could lose its way. Yet this : strange thing occurred in April (states the Auckland Herald’s London correspondent). The 4.40 p.m. train from Cannon Street to Chislehrtrst carries many of those fortunate city men- who do not work their eight hours a day, hut nevertheless are able to live in one of the most charming places near London. Chislehurst is just 15 miles south-east from the city. A signalman, however, made, a mistake, and after the train had gone a short distance it was switched on to the wrong line. It was held up at the next signal box, but the station officials took the course of penalising the 300 passengers for the benefit of the 60,000 Londoners who were following in other trains. To send the train back to its, right line would have completely disorganised the “rush' hour” traffic,%nd \SO the enginedriver was given orders to express to Redhill, thence to Tonbridge, and so Hack to Chislehurst. This was a journey round four sides of a square, and a distance of 65'miles. As the Redhill line was clear the train made no stops, and the passengers remained in igndrance as to their destination'until they reached- Redhill.DOlibtleSs many of them imagined 'thatthej- had got into the 'wrong .train, and dare not mention the fact for fear of appearing ridiculous. ’Mild consternation gradually broke out as they passed unfamiliar scenes. In the encl, however, they - reached their, home station two hours late.

An official inquiry’was'held, and the following statement;was issued: “With reference to the '4.40 p.m. train from CanliOn Street to'Sevenoaks, which‘was inadvertently turned on to the 'Redhill route, an official inquiry has established that the signalman concerned at London Bridge C Box mistook the train for a Redhill train. The driver was pulled up at Spa road, the next signal box, and acting xiiider-instruc-tions proceeded to Redhill and thence to Chislehurst via Tonbridge, the nearest route under the circumstances.

“This course was adopted because at this time of the evening a great deal of disorganisation would have been caused to the evening ‘rush’ trains from Cannon Street and London Bridge, carrying over 60,000 passengers, had the train been reverted to its right route. “The officials who conducted the inquiry are of the opinion that the action taken, once the initial mistake had been made, caused the least inconvenience to the general public, as no other delay w'as'experienced through the incident. Stationniasters along the route were instructed by telephone of the altered route of the train and of its probable time of arrival at its destination. The signalman concerned has had a wide experience at this particular spot, and hears an exceeding good record.”