BACK TO NORMAL SCHEDULE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 February 1935, Page 2

BACK TO NORMAL SCHEDULE

RAILWAY LINE NOW CLEAR

TEMPORARY REPAIRS EFFECTED

Railway services on the StratfordMain Trunk and New PlymouthHawera reverted to normal yesterday. The first Wanganui-New Plymouth express arrived at New Plymouth 57 minutes behind schedule, this being the first train to arrive at New Plymouth since the flood disorganised traffic. 'There were more than in) passengers on hoard, the maoritv r aking the through journey. The express was on time for the greater part .of the journey, but after leaving Stratford considerable time was lost, .acting under strict instructions the train crew maintained a very low f peed. Over certain sections the speed was reduced to six miles an hour, while over the bridges affected l»y the flood the train literally crawled. Although time tables revert to normal it is possible that trains will he slightly behind schedule for the next few days as the department is exercising every precaution and speeds over the sections or railroad affected will be increased as permanent repairs are aifected. The main line, which was blocked between Midhirst and Inglewood by damage to the line at Waipuku, Norfolk Road and Durham. Road, was cleared yesterday afternoon, a. day ahead of the previously announced schedule.

Work at Waipuku was finished on Monday, at Norfolk Road during Monday night and at Durham Road yesterday. Thus all the flood damage was repaired in just over four days—a remarkable feat considering the work that had to he done. Some <if the material and gear necessary for the repairs was at Wanganui, but some had to ho brought front various other places much further afield. There were 23 slips on the TahoraHaeo section, of the Stratford-Main Trunk, and not 25 as previously reported. The largest slip occurred between Tahora and Tangarafcniu and threw about 1000 cubic feet of spoil on to the line. Many of the others were of only 40 to 50 yards, but several were up to 200 and 250 yards. Here again a clearance was effected in a very "short time—a little over three dnvs.