MAIN TRUNK INTERRUPTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 10

MAIN TRUNK INTERRUPTED.

SLIPS AT MANY POINTS. SERIOUS DELAY TO TRAINS. ALL EXPRESSES DETAINED. OBSTRUCTION AT GREATFORD. Heavy rain caused a largo slip yesterday on the Main Trank line at Whakapapa, between Kakahi and Owhango, about 190 miles from Auckland, and 15 miles boyond Taumartraui, with the result that both the expresses from Auckland to Wellington last evening will bo detained at* Taumarnnui. The f limited express which left Wellington for Auckland last evening was beset by a series of troubles. It was delayed for a Little whilo by a slip at Paekakariki, but reached Palmerston North on schedule time. It was hold there, however, while efforts were being mado to clear a slip at Greatford, 26 miles further north. It was midnight before the train was able to leave, and advice was received that it would be held up again at Marton, as thero is another slip at Mangaweka. It was planned that the two expresses from Auckland should bo formed into one train at Taumarnnui and then proceed to the scene of tho slip at Whakapapa at daybreak. The passengers would then exchange trains with tho passengers by the northbound limited. However, the delay to that train through other slips has complicated matters and arrangements at an early hour this morning were indefinite. Probably, if tho limited from .Wellington is still delayed, a relief train will be provided. The slip at Whakapapa occurred yesterday afternoon, and when the latest message was received from Ohakune rain was still falling heavily in the affected area. All available gangs were set to work, but it is not expected the line will be sufficiently clear to enable the ordinary services to bo resumed before three o'clock this afternoon at the earliest. The special arrangements for exchange of trains applied to express passengers only. A further obstruction is the flooding of the line near Hangatiki, 120 miles from Auckland and about 35 miles beyond Frankton Junction. However, the area affected is not very extensive, nor is the water a serious depth, and tho southbound expresses last evening were able to pass at reduced speed. The two expresses left at the usual times of departufe, but all passengers were informed of the proposal to detain the trains at Taumarunui, and that no responsibility was accepted by the department for the continuance of the service beyond Taumarunui. Bookings on both trains were heavy, but very few passengers cancelled tho trip.