RAILWAYS OVERCOMING BIG HURDLE

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1936, Page 6

RAILWAYS OVERCOMING BIG HURDLE

GETTING THE SERVICES SLOWLY BACK TO NORMAL

expresses from Auckland today, but the express will definitely run from Auckland to Whakapara tomorrow. Trains are still confined to running: between Waiotira and Whakapara. That, briefly is the position of rail services in Northland today. Both in the areas north and south of Whangarei four work trains are engaged clearing away the devastation of the tempest. Plenty of labour is offering, but the djhV'ulty is to keep the work gangs fed with sufficient material. For instance, on the Far Northern Section of the line, many thousands of sleepers are required for repair work. Where the line is now being relayed in those areas, big reserve stocks were held, but a great part of these were swept away in the flood. Adequate supplies of sleepers are stacked in the Whangarei yards, but, until communication is resumed,’ cannot be forwarded to where they are required. Hoteo Station Washed Away, “The Hoteo station has been washed away in the paddocks,” is how one of

the engineers described the scene after a visit last night. “The high water mark is well above the verandah of the good’s shed.”

Last night the engineers could not even negotiate the line between Kaipara Flats and Wellsford on a jigger. Five feet of water still lay over the line at Hoteo,

It was hoped to extend the running of trains as far North as Towai today, but the serious damage done half a mile beyond Whakapara, where two bridges were demolished, has proved the stumbling block. By last night the first bridge had been repaired, and it is hoped to finish the second today, making the line clear as far as Mdtatau.

From Motatau to Otiria, however, great damage has been done, and it may be a week or more before the line is made safe for travel. Lucky! Fortunately for members of a signal gang stationed at Opahi, they were away from iiome during the weekend. Early on Sunday morning, the flood came down in waves, smashing their deserted hutments, and destroying their gear. This morning a canvass was made for mattresses and bedding material on their behalf. As far as possible, the regular express schedule is being observed between Waiotira and Whakapara. When direct communication is restored with Auckland, it is anticipated that service cars will meet the trains, either at Towai, as in 1934, or at Whakapara. An emergency gang operating from Opua has toiled like tyojans, clearing (he tunnel and the line as far as Taumarere, where thousands of sleepers are required, and where the break is ely to la|t for some days.