RATANA INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1938, Page 7

RATANA INQUIRY

WITNESS. CROSS-EXAMINED. (Per Press Association —Copyright) WELLINGTON, Juno 20. Technical evidence given earlier in the inquiry by A. S. Waiisbnmgli, designing engineer in the maintenance branch of the New Zealand raiiwavs, was the subject of long cross-examina-tion this al'ternoon, when the Hoard of Inquiry set up to investigate the cause ol’ the ha I alia railway disaster on Alareh 20 resumed its silting. In answer to Mr G, (h (.«. Watson counsel lor the driver, Wansbrotigh said lie was satisfied Irom what lie had seen that the locomotive did no* mount the rails, but overturned at a speed of approximately 50 miles an hour. The cross-examination of Wansbrough had not been completed when the inquiry adjourned at 5 p.in. It will be resumed at 10.30 a.in. tomorrow. Further departmental experts will also he eross-examined on evidence given during the earlier stages of the inquiry. Wansbrough said tin l passenger cars operated on the Main Trunk were equipped with roller bearings.

Mr Watson: Cars on the Main Trunk are also equipped with a particular kind of coupling, to reduce shock and bumps? Witness: That is so.

So that passengers on Wl (the excursion train) would not have ne smooth a ride as passengers on the Mam Trunk? —The only difference would he in tTie case of an emergency application of the brakes. In your opinion, speed for speed, the Main Trunk cars are no more comfortable to ride in 1 linn the, oars on W l ? —There may be some difference; but I would not like to say. That is a question lor rolling stock experts. I have never noticed any serious difference.

Questioned about the speed boards, witness said the purpose of these boards was to remind drivers that they were coming to restricted areas. They should be effectively and accurately placed.

Mr Watson: At night any indication available to the-driver is in the mileage posts and speed hoards? —In general, yes. The mileage posts on this particular trip were not oil the driver’s side. Have those mileage pegs ever linen alien'd, since the Tawa Flat deviation was introduced?—No. The Tawa Flat deviation has taken two miles off the journey, lias it not? — Yes.

Have the mileage pegs ever been J altered to allow for the deviation ? J No. An alteration was no't necessary for the purpose they serve. 1 Witness added that according to the working time-table, the total traffic mileage from Wellington to Ratana was 127 miles 2d chains. This mileage did not represent the actual distance.

“Neither the time-table mileages, nor tlit' mileage posts, represent actual measured distances between stations. They represent localities,” he said. There were reasons why the mileage pegs should. not he altered. They represented a definite location. Irom which everything on the track could be measured. Any change would necessitate altering a large number of files, and would introduce confusion to the departmental records. If a driver near Ratana could not see the mileage posts at night, he could determine liis position, because it was between two speed restrictions. If a driver had not been on a section lor eight years, and had no other way of ascertaining his position, he could consult the working time-table. Mr Watson: Do you agree that a driver should drive from his observation of the landmarks and his experience of the line? —I believe lie should use everything that would help him in any way.

In his previous evidence witness had said that the formula used by

some railway systems for the safe speed on curves was based on the critical speed for overturning on springs. The formula he said, was put forward hv Mr J. W. Spider, in the proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers for 1908-9, with a view to determining the speed at which the front bogie wheel of a locomotive would tend to climb the rail.

Cross-examined on this evidence, witness said Mr Rpiller’s formula gave the. critical speed at which an engine of the AR class would mount the rail at 35.5 miles an hour on a 6.4 chain curve. Witness added that in his previous evidence he had said that Mr Spiller’s formula could not be considered exact.

“I am satisfied, from what I have seen, ‘that the locomotivh did neffc mount the rails, but overturned at a speed of approximately 50 miles an hour,” said the witness.