COMMUNICATION SEVERED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1937, Page 8

COMMUNICATION SEVERED.

y: RAILWAY DIFFICULTY. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND,' Dec. 15. Serious difficulties in controlling trains proceeding to and from Auckland on the south line arose when a hay-stacker, which was being drawn across an overhead road - bridge at Whangarata, near Tuakau, tore down the Railway Department telegraph wires. The accident happened at about 3.45 p.m. and for a short period the traffic control office at the Auckland railway station was isolated from southern stations. As the control office supervises the movements of all traffic on the line as far as Frankton, and is normally in constant contact with all officered stations, it was essential that communication should be restored at the earliest possible moment. Many trains, including the afternoon express to Wellington, were on the line, and each had to receive instructions as to the length of its stay at and the time of departure from the various stopping-places. Contact was first established' by means of the ordinary Post and Telegraph Department toll lines. In the meantime maintenance men were hurried to the scene and had soon completed repairs to the direct line to Frankton, which permitted the control office to speak to the stations between Frankton and Mercer. About an hour had passed, however, before the usual train control wire was repaired. Although the accident was of a serious nature no untoward happenings occurred. The Wellington express was able to adhere to its timetable and only small delays occurred to other trains.