OPAPA DISASTER

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 October 1925, Page 9

OPAPA DISASTER

A PROFESSOR’S CONCLUSIONS.

NO DEFECT IN ENGINE. TRACK IN GOOD ORDER, CBT TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATIONWELLINGTON, Oct, 12. The commission of inquiry into the recent railway disaster at Opapa was resumed to-day. Professor Scott, formerly professor of •engineering at Canterbury College, said that he had been asked by the Government to report on the cause of the accident at Waipawa. He had examinedl the scene of the accident and the locomotive, and had made certain tests on his own initiative. The officers of the department had placed every facility in his way and had rendered any necessary assistance. His hands had been entirely free. He had made a written report. On October 6 he rode on an engine of the same class as the one involved in the accident. Re travelled on the footplate from 'Waipawa to Hastings. The portion of the line near the scene of the accident is, owing to constant variation in curvature, of a somewhat awkward character, 'but negotiationg it at a speed of between 23 and 25 miles per hour the engine took the curve smoothly and there was no undue oscillation. The remainder of the run to Hastings called for fairly high, but by no means excessive, speed. He inspected the engine used on the day of the disastei. Little of the running gear was serious-, lv damaged, and the whole appeared to have been in excellent order prior to the derailment. The wheel flanges were in. very good condition. On the engine being lowered on to the.- bogie it was found to stand in normal trim, all clearances being ample. An inspection of the track at the scene of the accident showed it to be in excellent order. The jarrah sleepers showed a complete absence of softness, and all fastenings had a secure hold. The conclusions he had come to were: (1) That the locomotive was in firstclass running order, and to no defect in upkeep can the derailment be attributed. , , ~ , (2) That the track was substantial in character and is in excellent order. (3) That 25 miles per hour limiting speed on this portion; of track was a safe speed for the train as constituted. The commission has adjourned sine die.’ The next sitting is likely to be held at Napier.