TRAINS DELAYED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 183, 6 July 1936, Page 6

TRAINS DELAYED

MISHAP AT PAEKAKARIKI. A SIX-HOUR WAIT. Jumping the points connecting with the main line at Paekakariki, mst evening, a heavy van, which was being shunted from the WellingtonPalmerston North excursion train, required the services of a gang of twelve men for six hours before it could be returned to the track, the interruption seriously dislocating the time-table of .the northbound Limited express and the excursion train from Palmerston North to the Capital City. As a result of the delay, passengers readied Palmerston North at 2.30 this morning on the Wellington-Palmerston North excursion train, nearly six hours late, and at approximately 1.40 a.m. the Limited express passed through instead of at 10 p.m. . It appeared that, while crossing the points on to the main line, the rear bogey wheels of the van left tTie line, cutting deep ruts in the track and swinging from side to side. I inally the wheels were brought to the edge of the rack and, with the aid of iron blocks and wooden posts, endeavours were made to return them to the rails. Boisterous weather prevailed at the time, a high wind and heavy rain adding to the difficulties of replacing the van. The first attempt was made at 6.30, but it was close on midnight before

the obstruction was removed from the line. In the meantime the Limited express had made the journey from Wellington and was drawn up at the adjoining platform while the return excursion train from Palmerston North was waiting outside Paekakariki for the line to be cleared. The passengers for the most part took the delay in good spirit and occupied their time inspecting the damage or walking the platform. Several moutli-organs and an aecordeon could be heard in the carriages and occasional snatches of song, but those who were able to do so preferred to sleep. As a result of the delay to tlie northbound Limited express and the fact that a slip had to be passed in the north, the southbound Limited express was one hour late in reaching Palmerston North this morning.