COAL TRAIN SMASH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 12

COAL TRAIN SMASH

DASH DOWN A HILL CRASH THROUGH DEAD-END J When a coupling gave way while * £ coal train was climbing a hill on the South Maitland private railway line in Jsew South Wales lately, 12 loaded coal trucks and the guard's van ra:i backwards down the hill for nearly a mile* They were diverted by the attendant at a signal box into a safety siding 120 yards long, with a rise of 35 feet from ; the entrance to the dead end, but the g; runaway train had accumulated such & momentum that the guard's .van six of the trucks smashed through the stopper at the end. The trucks piled > ou top of the van, which was telescoped. The trucks were also badly smashed, and about 65 tons of coal was scattered about the siding.. The guard of the van made n plucky attempt to bring the trucks to a stop £■ when the runaway began. He applied the brakes in his van, but without result. Then he tried to get the brakes on the two trucks nearest the van into action, but his efforts were unavailing! and he jumped ctear in time to avoid boing injured in the final smash. .