MAIN TRUNK CLEARED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20058, 22 September 1928, Page 14

MAIN TRUNK CLEARED.

NORMAL SERVICE RESTORED. REMOVAL OF WRECKAGE. GOOD WORK AT PALMERSTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday. The Main Trunk railway service, which was dislocated by tho derailment of a mixed train from Wanganui, near Kelvin Grove, three miles from Palmerston North, last evening, was restored to-day by tho completion of a loop lino at the scene of the accident. It is expected that tho ordinary schedule will bo maintained from now on. The south-bound Main Trunk express passed through Palmerston North this morning only half-an-hour late.

When the smash occurred last cMroning trucks wore piled in a mass of twisted iron and shattered timbers and goods were thrown in all directions. It was fortun- j ate there was no loss of lifo. Tho two passenger coaches on the train kept to tho rails and nobody was injured. The wheels of one waggon left the rails about a chain north of the Humo Pipe Company's siding, and serious damago was done to the sleepers, as the truck, which was located not very far from the engine, dragged along. When it came to the north points of the Hume Pipe Company's siding the truck spread across tho rails, ploughed up tho sleepers, causing tho rails to spread and dorailing 21 following trucks. Brakes Act Promptly. By this tiino tho train had come to a standstill Only four trucks remained on tho rails in front of tho carriage. Only a jar was felt as tho train was brought to a standstill by tho automatic operation of the Westinghouso brakes when couplings in the middle of tho tram weio broken. Tho Railway Department marshalled alt its resources to clear tho lino for the Main Trunk service when the news of the accident reached Palmerston North. A breakdown gang was sent out from the town with all the men available and similar arrangements were wade from Feilding. Mr. 11. Beasley, of Wanganui, district engineer, arrived on the sceno at 1 a.m., accompanied by Mr. P. H. Harland, district traffic manager. . A breakdown train from Wanganui arrived at 1.30 o'clock, while a steam crane to lift heavy wreckage bodily off the track arrived later from Kapuni. Until its arrival the work of clearing tho line was done under considerable difficulty. About 100 Men Engaged. About ICO railway men were engaged throughout the night, as well as many employees of the Post and Telegraph Department, which had four vans oj: English parcels among tho derailed waggons. One postal van on leaving the line tore its way down the bank, finally overturning besido a cavity it had excavated. 'lhe roof was knocked cortipletely off, making a convenient access for the postal officials. The train service was restored to normal by mid-day and tho district engineer thinks tho main lino will bo completely rebuilt by to-morrow night, conditional on his being able to get the derailed waggons and other debris out of the way. However, all evidences of the derailment should be removed by Sunday. Residents in tho immediate vicinity state that they heard the train approaching as usual, but suddenly there was an indescribable smashing, rending and tearing. An eerie silence followed, until tho passengers' voices were heard. On arrival at the scene residents found more than half the train had been derailed and there was a state of chaos. Trucks and Waggons were piled up in a mass of twisted iron and splintered woodwork, while along the track bags of sugar, casein, mail bags and baskets were strewn everywhere. Bags of casein hjd burst and the contents had spread all over the track. Passenger's Experience. Mr. B. H. Andrew, a passenger on the train, said: "We felt a heavy jolt and sensed that something was amiss, but wo had no conception of the real extent of the damage until we saw it. There wore about 12 passengers, half the travellers being ladies. There was no disturbance as no one realised what had really taken place When passengers left tho carriages and went along the lino they were amazed at the extent of the damage, considering tho small indication which had been given them. "It was a narrow escape for tho passengers, I think," continued Mr. Andrew, "as our carriage appeared to be only about 15yds from the point where the wreckage was piled. I attribute our remarkablo escape from injury to the efficiency of tho Westinghouse brakes. I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful service organised immediately by the railway staff and postal service. Thirty minutes after the smash cars were there to convey passengers and their luggage to Palmerston North. Before wo had even left tho scene of the accident, however, wo were amazed to see a squad of postal officials busily commencing to salvage the mails. Tho promptitudo with which all concerned went about their activities reflects the greatest credit on the organisation of tho staffs." LATE ARRIVAL IN CITY. COMFORT OF PASSENGERS. TRIBUTE TO THE OFFICIALS. Owing to the dislocation of traffic- caused through the derailment of waggons on a mixed train near Palmerston North on Thursday evening, tho limited express, which left Wellington on Thursday evening, did not arrive at Auckland until a quarter-past eight last evening—nearly 11 hours behind schedule. Except for the unfortunate, delay, passengers were not inconvenienced to any great extent, and on arrival last evening paid a tribute to tho attention received at tho hands of railway officials. When the train arrived at Palmerston North, passengers were told there' had been an accident, and there would bo some delay, but none anticipated it would continue throughout the night. Many passengers who had engaged sleepers were already in bed, and remained there during the night. When.it became known there was no hope of continuing the jour.ney until tho morning, some of tho passengers sought hotel accommodation in Palmerston North. Shortly after seven o'clock yesterday morning, passengers were transferred by means of motor-cars and charabancs, hired by the railway authorities, to a place north of tho derailment, where tho south-bound limited had been stopped and was waiting to return north. The passengers wcro on their way to Auckland shortly after ,eight o'clock. Arrangements had been made with hotels and boarding houses for lunch at Ohakuno. Tho limited express for Wellington last evening left without any sleepers, owing to the fact that the only sleepers available? j for south-bound expresses como from tho trains which arrive from tho south in the morning. On arrival at hrankton lato yesterday afternoon, tho north-bound limited was delayed for a time while the sleepers wore removed to be made ready for the south-bound train. Clean bedding had been sent from Auckland earlier in the day.