ALARMING BREAKAWAY

Northern Advocate, 5 August 1932, Page 5

ALARMING BREAKAWAY

ON RAURIMU SPIRAL

FOURTEEN WAGGONS AND VAN,

PILED-UP WRECKAGE

(Special to “Northern Advocate.”) RAURIMU, This Day. Fourteen fully-laden waggons and a van, portion of a ballast train working the Ranrimn spiral, this morning

broke away when about three miles

from the station and careered backwards down the spiral, piling up on a bend 2] miles from Ranrimn.

The train comprised 20 -waggons and a van, and the mishap, which occurred at 9 a.m., was caused through the breaking of a coupling on the sixth waggon. The guard in charge, who was in the van at the roar of the train, -was fortunate to escape with minor injuries, as the van, the first of the vehicles to leave the permanent •way, was thrown clear. The waggons piled up on the track n little further on.

The ballast trucks are not equipped with the usual Westinghonso braking system, and though the guard, Air. Lyons, did his best to apply the hand brakes on the van and waggons it was fruitless once the runaway had gained its momentum. The train left Ranrimn about R. 30 a.m., laden with shingle and spoil for ballasting a portion of the spiral permanent way. The spoil is discharged by opening the side of the hopper, and is evenly- spread by drawing the van, which is equipped with a device over it.

The train had reached a point about three miles up the spiral when the mishap occurred, and the detached portion sped down the line at a tremendous pace] A breakdown train, equipped with crane and" gear,' was detached from Ohakune within an hour of the accident being reported and was expected to reach .the scene before mid-day. 'lt was anticipated that the wreckage would be cleared by 5 p.m. and that the running of the through express train would not be interfered with.

The first through train to reach the scene of the accident to-night will be the 3 o’clock express from Auckland this afternoon, which is due at Eaurimu at 10.90 pan. It is expected that the line will be cleared several hours before this.

Local traffic was dislocated .this morning but prompt arrangements were made to minimise inconvenience to passengers. This was effected by halting the northbound train at National Park and the southbound at Raurimu. - Passengers were transferred by ear and the trains returned over the same route with the new complement of passengers.