DELAYS TO TRAINS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 7 April 1945, Page 4

DELAYS TO TRAINS

OHURA OPEN-CAST MINE BLAMED ENGINES MUST STOP AFTER 25 MILES Wanganui, Apl. 5. Locomotive men in * the Wanganui district and elsewhere are protesting at the poor quality of the Waitewhenua open-cast coal, mined near Ohura, on the Stratford Okahukura line. They declare that the coal is not only exceedingly dirty to work with, but is responsible for delays of up to an hour on trains running between Marton and Wanganui. This is because enginemen frequently have to stop and clean their fires. Train crews' entirely disagree with statements made Wy the Minister of Mines (Mr Webb) that Waitewhenua coal “was as good as the best Waikato open-cast product.” Following many complaints from engine crews regarding the class of coal they were required to handle, a conference attended by road foremen from all parts of the North Island was held in Palmers!on North to-day. Administrative officials were also present, and it is understood that the coal situation generally was thoroughly discussed. "Between here and New Plymouth there must be hundreds of tons of Waitewhenua coal dumped from locomotives,” said an engine-driver. His fireman added that about 25 miles was the maximum distance an engine would travel on this fuel. “Then we have to stop and clean the fire,” he ad led. “On the good coal we could run from here to New Plymouth, more than 100 miles, without any fire trouble.”