CRANE DISLODGED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 43, 20 January 1936, Page 2

CRANE DISLODGED

MANAWATU GORGE MISHAP. DIFFICULTIES ON BRIDGE. Moved forward and dislodged from the rails by a strong gust ot wind, a 35-ton crane which got' into difficulties on the edge of a bridge spanning a gully 35 feet deep in the Munawatu Gorge presented a great problem to railway employees who undertoojc the task of restoring it to the line yesterday. Strengthening of a bridge opposite Barney’s point about one mile on the Palmerston North side of the Gorge railway station, had been planned by the putting in of an additional girder and the steam crane arrived there at 7 a. m. yesterday. To facilitate the replacement of the girder, a section of track had been taken up. The crane was being slowly moved up to the edge when a sudden gust of wind carried its front bogey wheels into the gap, the brakes failing to check the movement in time. Efforts to move the heavy crane were futile, and a relief train with steel tackle from Wellington, as well as an engine from Woodville, was brought to the scene;

Jacked up, the sunken fore-carriage of the crane was held by another crane brought on the relief train until packing could be built under the dislodged portion, but it was 7.30 p.m. before it was pulled back on to the permanent way by a straining locomotive.

Further work had to be undertaken before the troublesome crane could be moved away under its own power, and the hour was late before the front bogey wheels, which bad became detached in the mishap, were back in position. No damage was done to the bridge timbers, and the rails were easily replaced.

Under the difficult circumstances, and the' narrow space in which the men had to work, the replacement of the crane on the rails with■ so little delay was very creditable. There was no traffic over the route during the day, but the goods train due in Palmerston North from Napier at 11.20 p.m. was held up for a short period. Traffic was using the line, however, before midnight.