EXPRESSES LATE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 96, 22 March 1941, Page 6

EXPRESSES LATE

WASHOUT IN NORTH.

SCHEDULES DISORGANISED

From early this morning for several hours train services on the Main Trunk line were disorganised as the result of a wash-out a short distance south of Te Kuiti and, later, the derailment of a truck at Feilding. The" Main Trunk express, due to arrive at 4.19 a.m.. did not reach Palmerston North until 9.22 a.m., and the Limited express, due at 6.00 a.m., did not arrive until 10.11 a.m. the Main Trunk express had been held at Frankton, and instead of at 554 p.m. did not draw out until /.40 p.m. Passengers said they could not see the extent of the washout, but noticed that there was a large gang of men working at the point and the train proceeded at a very slow speed. Irom then on the crossings with other trains brought about a succession of stoppages relatively all along the line, these contributing to the general lateness of the train. The Limited express was also affected by the need for a fresh running schedule in regard to crossings, but was making better time than the ordinary express and at Palmerston North, instead of being 2 hours and 30 minutes behind the other, had a leeway of only an hour and 49 minutes. The position 111 regard to crossings was complicated by the fact that a train carrying troops on week-end leave immediately preceded the Main Trunk express. MISHAP AT FEILDING.

The delay at Feilding is believed to have been caused by a broken axle on an Auckland-Wellington mixed goods train at Maewa, a siding near the cemeterv north of the town. The accident occurred just after one o'clock this morning, and when the train reached Feilding it was noted that several trucks were off the line and had been dragging the undergear, which was badlv damaged. One wheel, presumably that an which the axie broke, was lying at right angles to the line and the cattle in the truck had to be removed to adjacent pens. The forward trucks were not damaged and were sent on. but there remain 111 the yards at Feilding about a dozen, trucks which will have to be checked over and some repaired before they can be moved. A large crane was requisitioned to clear the line and this arrived at 11 o'clock. The damage was confined to the trucks, with only minor damage to the track. -