Man-power Train to Rescue

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 3

Man-power Train to Rescue

(From Sydney Sun). U ALICE SPRINGS, March 6. in the quaintest train that has ever drawn in here—two petrol-driven fottlers’ trolleys and two trailers, all lashed together with a length of nianilla rope—the 17 pasengers who had been. maroond at Finke since last Saturday, completed their adventurous journey last night. Some had crossed the surging Finke River on a platform strung to a steel cable after stylo of a flying fox, while others had perched on the suit case and mail bags that were pushed ove: on. a trolly while the water was still rushing a foot deep over the rails. An emergency engine and brake-van from Rumbalara brought them the 53 miles to the Alice Well Creek, where tho engine, three water tenders, and four trucks of a special works train had plunged on Saturday into the ereek bed. The passengers marvelled that the crew of the works train had not suffered more serious injury. The engine was nearly upside down. •» Passengers Push. was transferred to the trolleys and trailers waiting beyond tho tangled and twisted lengths of rail, and the last 100 miles were covered in five hours, the passengers assisting the crew of four fettlers to push the “train' ’ up the severe grades and over washaways. Stops were made for a hamper meal, partly broached from a consignment ot perishable goods carried on tho train stranded at the Finke, and “Brownie" provided by the cooks at the Rodinga and Eunaninga sidings from their seriously depleted stores. Twice on the strange journey, the improvised train had to be stopped to retrieve hats which had blown from tho heads of women passengers. After tho second time, all hats were tied securely on. Cards and Two-Up. At the end of their adventures the passengers signed a letter to the Commonwealth Railways Commissioner expressing their appreciation of the consideration and helpfulness of the crew of the train while it was isolated. Mr. Joseph Kilgariff, a hotelkeeper, said the passengers were agreed that the enforced stay was a real picnic holiday. Some played cards, not forgetting'a little two-up. “In the evenings, we had a wireless set, and we were also invited to the home of the pumper, where we danced to radio music. We also had a gramophone, and the use of the shower, which was very acceptable," he added.

While the train was marooned the railway authorities catered for the passengers without charge, but the provision of food became a serious problem by Monday. * A case of 10 dozen eggs and some ftiiit consigned to Alice Springs and Tennant’s Creek were requisitioned, and several sheep from a truckload for delivery to an Alico Springs butcher were killed and shared by the passengers and fettlers.