Mishap to Night Fruit Train

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 46, 24 February 1938, Page 8

Mishap to Night Fruit Train

TRUCKS DERAILED NEAR DANNEVIRKE Owing to a derailment of at least three trucks last night in the vfoinity of Mangatera, near Dannevirke, the earlymorning north-bound Palmerston NorthNapier train was delayed for close on three hours this morning. The line was cleared in time to allow for the express to Wellington to run according to schedule. The mishap occurred to the second of the two special overnight fruit trains from Hastings, it being understood that cne of the waggons slipped the rails and before the train could be brought to a standstill two other trucks were derailed. It is reported that a considerable quantity of fruit, mainly apples, forwarded to Wellington for disposal on the local markets, was affected by the mishap, though the bulk of the consignments eventually reached Wellington in time for the morning sales. As the result of the belated arrival of the early train this morning the delivery of south mail in Hastings was missed, though special arrangements were made by the postal authorities for meeting the needs of the business community. A Press Association telegram from Dannevirke stated that a mixed special goods train from Hastings to Wellington was partially derailed in the Mangatera railway yards, just outside Dannevirke, at 10.30 last night, five box waggons laden with fruit for export leaving the lines. One waggon was completely smashed and another damaged. Between 400 and 500 cases of fruit were scattered in all directions. The waggons which were derailed were about six trucks back from the engine. The cause is unknown, but it is stated unofficially that one set of wheels of one waggon left the rails near Piripiri, and it was after the train reached the points entering the yards at Mangatera that the other waggons were derailed. No-one was injured.