LIMITED EXPRESS DELAYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 8

LIMITED EXPRESS DELAYED

DIFFICULTY WITH HOT BOX. HEAVY TRAFFIC NORTHWARD. As tho result of a hot box on a deluxe sleeping car the limited express from Wellington reached Auckland .yesterday a few minutes after noon, over two and a-half hours late. With tlio exodus from Wellington following tho fourth Rugby test, the train was a heavy one, and comprised thirteen cars, fivo more than the usual number. The trouble first developed at Koputaroa. about 65 miles after tho commencement of the run northward. Frequent adjustments were made and delays continued, long and short, until To Kuiti was reached, where, at 8.15 a.m., it was docided to take the sleeper off. Prior to this, at Waiouru and Kakahi, the heating had become so intenso that tho guard had to apply water to suppress (lames. The occupants of tho car were all passengers for Frankton, so that tho inconvenience of moving to other cars was not great. Every effort had been made to keep tho sleeper on. Two other cars wero dropped at Frankton, a considerable number of passengers having left tho train by the time this station was reached. Tho departure of passengers who arrived by the Aorangi on Sunday, in addition to the usual heavy Monday bookings, provided a busy scene at tho station prior to the despatch of tho limited for Wellington last evening. An extra sleeping car was attached to meet tho demand for accommodation.