Express Six Hours Late Yesterday

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1938, Page 8

Express Six Hours Late Yesterday

Although subject to delays on account of speed x'estrictions, the Northland railway service has resumed full running with the reopening of the track between Whangarei and Auckland after yesterday’s flooding. The slips at the portals of the Tahekeroa tunnel were cleared by midday yesterday, but the flooded portion of the line at Hoteo and Way by, between Kaipara Flats and Wellsford, was not opened to traffic until late in the afternoon. The up and down express trains were ultimately allowed j to pass, but considerably behind schedI ule. 1 j Went Through Water. j Held at Kaipara Flats until the flood had receded to a safe level, the • north-bound express proceeded slowly through water several inches deep after the track had been tested by engineers, and ultimately arrived at Whangarei at 8.15 p.m., although due at 2.30. The south-bound express was similarly delayed at Wellsford. The mixed Auckland-Whangarei j goods train, due at Whangarei at 3.30 j this morning, did not arrive until 5.20, i and tire 8.15 goods train from the city j drew into Whangarei at 9.24, neither j having difficulty in traversing affected j sections. A special goods train was dispatched from Whangarei at 4.30. and i another later in the morning. to j cope with the freight from the delayed i trains. Floods Receding. Advice received by the Whangarei j station this morning from Maunga- j turoto stated that the flood water had receded and that no serious hold-ups were anticipated during the day. As the result of the flooding, the track has been weakened in certain sections, and this will necessitate running to speed restrictions until repairs are made, ; I i