RAIL CAR SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1937, Page 5

RAIL CAR SMASH

ACCIDENT CAUSE MR MACKLEY REVIEWS POSITION “I am quite satisfied that the railcar is safe in the, service it was built for in normal conditions, and that it is not too light lor the purpose for which it was constructed,’ said Mr G. H. Maekley, General Manager -of Railways, when questioned about statements that the rail-car was not sufficiently heavy. “The possibilities of a derailment taking place at a level crossing owing to an obstruction is a matter that experienced railwayman are quite familiar with,” continued Mr Maekley, “though accidents from that cause are fortunately very rare. We have had accidents of a similar nature with our steam trains.”

There was definite evidence that a j mob of cattle had, just before the railcar traversed the crossing, crossed from the west to the east of the line, and in doing so had broken down the line, Mr Maekley continued. Dogs brought them back and they had milled on the crossing, which caused an undue disturbance of loose metal, which was on the side of the road. Although the cause was not definitely known it would appear that the accident had been brought about by a stone of some size becoming wedged in the flangeway of the track. Their experience had been that accidents from this cause were fortunately very rare indeed, Mr Maekley said. “It was after requests from people that they should- be allowed to utilise the newspaper service for carrying passengers that It had been decided to carry passengers.on this train,” he said. “In acceding to their requests we were

entirely satisfied—and still are satisfied—that the vehicle is quite safe for . normal conditions.” The two rail-cars used on the West Coast service, R.M. 20 and R.AI. 21, had between them done about 60,000 miles and -Mr Maekley said, that his own rail-car, which was used for inspection purposes and was of considerably lighter design and construction, had on its trips through the North and South Islands covered approximately 30,000 miles. During his travels he had carefully noted the action of the inspection car at level crossings, and on the main line sections in both islands he had never, at any time, had the slightest anxiety. There were many four-wheel railcars in use in such countries as France and ' Germany on the Continent, said Mr Maekley. R.M. 21, which had met with the accident, weighed about 10 tons loaded, and Continental railcars were of less weight that this and, according to official reports, wore scheduled to do speed s ' greatly iu excess of the West Coast rail-ear. Mr Maekley agreed that it would be an advantage to have double bogeys fitted to the small rail-ears. •He said that the standard rail-car, which weighed about 28 tons, was fitted with double bogeys. The department was not at the moment considering the sealing of crossings to prevent stones lodging alongside the rails, as experience had shown that accidents of this nature were very, very rare indeed. If the inquiry board, which was considering the accident, bad any recommendation to make about sealing they would make them. At the moment the chassis showed little 'or no distortion, and if this were borne out by an examination the chassis would he used for the service again. He said that he did not think there would be any need to consider the possibility of building a new car to replace R.M. 21. The work of repairing the car would be done at the Addington workshops. The rail-car was moved from where it had been lying at the Stafford Creek crossing at tbo Arahura siding about 4.30 p.m. yesterday, a steam crane being used to lift the chassis on to a , truck. It will he taken to Hokitika this morning ing, and it is not known when it will be taken to Christchurch, but it possible that it will not be lor a day or two. Such evidence a s is available will bo taken at Hokitika for the inquiry into the cause of the accident, omd it is possible'that evidence will be taken at Greymouth and Wellington. Tbo inquiry board, which consists of Mr IG. T. Wilson, transportation superintendent, Mr H. C. Lusty, assistant chief engineer, and Mr J. Blasted, locomotive engineer, will, after a sitting in Wellington', submit it s findings to Mr Mackle v for consideration, and he will report to the Minister for Railways, the Hon D. G. Sullivan. Messrs Wilson, Lusty, and R. JCard, design engineer, came south by the iliter-island express steamer Bast night, Mr J. McNair, district engineer, came over from Christchurch by goods train last night