LINK WITH TARANAKI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21249, 1 August 1932, Page 10

LINK WITH TARANAKI

PROGRESS ON NEW RAILWAY STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK LINE LAST STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION [llY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday Tho Stratford-Main Trunk railway entered the last stage of its construction yesterday morning when tho final tunnel was pierced. Only 2£ chains of this tunnel, tho No. 4 from Tangarakau, remain to bo concreted to complete tho construction work started 30 years ago. For months past work has been concentrated in this final barrier that kept the two railheads apart. Tho permanent way is well up to tho headings. Tho rails aro laid and tho cuttings made secure, so that a fow months will seo tho clearing up work done and Taranaki linked direct with Auckland. Tho new lino leaves tiio New PlymouthWollington lino at Stratford and runs in a north-easterly direction. Between Tangarakau, miles from Stratford and Ohura, 19 1-8 miles from tho Main Trunk, is the final section. Tho lino joins tho Main Trunk at Okahukura, 90 miles from Stratford. From Stratford to Whangamomona the line has been used for some time. Tho Railway Department controls it to Tahora on tho western side, although the permanent way extends past Tangarakau, three miles distant, whero tho Public Works headquarters aro established. In effect, from Stratford to Tahora, a distance of 47 miles, tho lino is in operation. From Tahora to the 54mile 30-chain peg, nearly four miles past Tangarakau, the permanent way is down. Similarly on the other side from Okahukura to past Ohura the track is laid.

Fourteen Tunnels Between Tangarakau and Ohura there aro 14 tunnels in the miles of line. Tho aggregate of tho tunnel lengths is 322 chains. Many surveys were 'made before tho present routo was docided upon through difficult country. In tho final section from Tangarakau tho line goes into a series of lofty rugged hills, thickly clothed in bush, but steady progress has been made, in spito of the difficulties, especially during the last two years. In April, 1929, of tho four tunnels in tho Tangarakau section, No. 1 only was finished, No. 2 was in tho concreting stage, No. 3 was being driven, and No. 4 had not been touched. Now threo aro finished, including tho laying of tho line, and No. 4 is a matter of weeks off completion. The last tunnel gavo great trouble. To add to tho natural difficulties and slow up tho pace, tho tunnellers were on strike for over six weeks. Headway With Cuttings Besides progress in tunnelling, headway has been made with tho unfinished cuttings, somo of which proved exceptionally heavy work owing to the treacherous nature of the country. Leading up to the No. 4 tunnel is a series of cuttings and fillings, four of the former and threo of tho latter, followed by another series in quick succession. Over this part much trouble was experienced in somo of the highest cuttings through inside rottenness and lack of strength. A light filling of six chains leads to the No. 4 tunnel, which is 52 chains long. Owing to the open naturo of tho earth, the first two chains of tho tunnel had to bo mado in inverted style, the flooring being concreted as well as tho sides and top. Fivo chains in from the western end a creek was met with right across tho tunnel path. By means of pipes it was raised 12ft. out of way, lifted over bv means of a concrete spillway and let into tho Mangatete Stream by a water tunnel 200 ft. long. The tunnel then proceeded on its way underneath tho stream. With this notorious No. 4 tunnel disposed of tho remaining work is very simple until tho lino is opened.