Derailment Interrupts North Auckland Train Services

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 206, 31 August 1943, Page 4

Derailment Interrupts North Auckland Train Services

ARMY, HOME GUARD AND SERVICE WOMEN TO RESCUE (Per press Association.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 30. The rail services on the main north line were interrupted by the derailment this mornirg of part of a southward bound passenger train between Ahuroa and Tc Hckaroa, 14 miles north ot Helensville. The train left Whangaret at 5.20 a.m. and the accident which was caused by a broken rail occurred at 9.1 b. Two rear carriages and the guard ’3 van of a five-carriage train left the rails. They were not overturned, and nobody was injured and the passengers, who numbered about 80, were brought through to Auckland in the front portion of the train. A breakdown gang was quickly ou the scene, but it was necessary to tranship passengers on two expresses to and from Auckland and Opua, and also on subsequent passenger services. Fourteen army trucks under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Stevens and manned by members of the Rodney Home Guard and women of the W.A.A.C. and the Wcllsford unit of the W.W.S.A., who worked solidly during heavy rain, were used for this purpose. There were 410 passengers on the northbound train and 380 on the other. The passengers who left Opua at 9 o’clock this morning did not reach Auckland until 9.50 to-night, over four hours late. The passengers who left Auckland for Opua on the 8.40 a.m. express were expected to arrive there at midnight, seven hours late. It is expected that the line will be cleared in the early hours of the morning. By special arrangement Reuter’s wot Id service. in addition to other special compilation of oversea intelligence published in this issue, and all rights t ieteiu in Australia and New Zealand ara icitrved. I