SIGNAL BOX FIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 21, 23 December 1938, Page 2

SIGNAL BOX FIRE.

DELAY TO TRAINS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 22.’ An outbreak of fire in an automatio signal box almost Underneath the Gladstone Road overbridge delayed the departure of two expresses for Wellington and temporarily suspended shunting operations in the Auckland railway yards to-night. Though not extensive, the damage interfered with the signalling and points system, and temporary expedients had to be adopted before the trains could leave the platform.

' The fire was noticed at 7 o’clock, 15 minutes before the Limited express was scheduled to leave. With holiday traffic nearing its height, hundreds of people were awaiting the two trains’ departure, but comparatively few were aware of the clouds of smoke .rising from the signal box several hundred yards farther down the line. Members of the yard staff suppressed the outbreak before the arrival of three fire engines from central and Parnell stations. The fusing of a cable whs- the cause of the fire, which'placed a large portion of the signalling system out of commission. The effects pf ,the disruption were transmitted to a second signal box controlling tile imaih line on which the expresses were ,to travel. With all signal lights ( showing red, traffic in the yards was at a standstill, and it was necessary for the points to be changed bv hand before the Limited express could leave the station at 7.29 n.m. The' second express -was also delayed for about 10 minutes. /