TRAIN DERAILMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19896, 15 March 1928, Page 8

TRAIN DERAILMENTS.

The official statement that the increasing number of mishaps to running trains are usually due to derailments of goods waggons neither explains the causes of such accidents nor disposes of public apprehensions on the subject. It is, indeed, calculated to strengthen the impression that it is unfortunate such incidents are not the subject of public inquiry unless they result in mortal injuries. A more rigorous system prevails in Britain, where, the railways being independent of the State, accidents are exhaustively investigated by officers of the Ministry of Transport. Typical reports of such inquiries were published a few weeks ago, and it is perhaps only a coincidence that in both cases the derailment of passenger trains was attributed to defects in the foundations of the permanent way. There is a measure of reassurance in the implication by Mr. Casey's statement that recent accidents in New Zealand have been due to defects in goods waggons, but unless these can be remedied the risk remains of accidents involving train crews and passengers by mixed trains and disorganisation of traffic by damage to the track. Such mishaps are costly in material damage alone, and are certainly not prevented by the efficiency of the braking system, since it is well known that a partially derailed train may continue on its course for a considerable distance before the driver realises its condition and applies the brakes. Without raising any question of the safety of railway travel, the public may fairly ask the department if it has discovered the actual causes of the frequent derailments, and what steps it is taking to eliminate them.