MAIN TRUNK MISHAP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18206, 27 September 1922, Page 8

MAIN TRUNK MISHAP.

VALUE OF WESTINfiHOUSE. THE iNJURY TO THE DRIVER. [BX TBLSQBAPH. —OWN COEKESPONDBKT.] WELLINGTON." Tuesday. No decision has yet been reached by the Railway Department in the matter of holding an inquiry into the aspects; of the mishap which overtook the outwardbound Auckland express train from Thorndon yesterday afternoon It is improbable that there will be any inquiry into the parting of the train, as apart from the delay and inconvenience attached to the mishap the matter is not regarded as a serious one or one that could have been prevented. The breaking of the drawbar is not an unusual happening, though it is not frequent.' Only a small portion of the drawbar is visible to a casual inspection and the remainder is underneath the carriage. These drawbars are inspected periodically, but a break, if there is one, has to. be fairly obvious before it can be detected through the dust and rust in which they avre usually encased. • , ~ The most noticeable feature of the mishap was the demonstration of the efficiency of the Wsstinghouse brake. '" In yesterday's accident the parting of the couplings put a strain on the air pipe between the two carriages and it parted. The resulting escape of air lifted the pressure which prevents the brakes from actinsr and they immediately acted on both ends of the train. Before the advent of the Wesfcinghouse brake such a break in the train would have meant that the rear portion would have run back fiown the long hill with serious consequences. The Westinghouse is doubly tested before each train commences a journey. The mo6t serious aspect of yesterday's accident was the injury sustained by the driver. The conditipn of Mr. J.. Meachen ia still serious, although he regained consciousness this morning.