RAILWAY TUNNEL FUMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22179, 5 August 1935, Page 12

RAILWAY TUNNEL FUMES

Sir, —I wish, on behalf of the Hefpnsville branch of the E.F.C.A.. to contradict the statement made by "Retired Enginedriver" that the choking fumes experienced in tunnels by engine crews do not constitute , an ever present danger. Members of this depot who have worked on other sections can quote instances where engine crews have been overcome with the fumes and more than one member has been "out" himself. There has certainly been no previous accidents, but with the class of coal that is used on the New Zealand railways and the number of narrow long tunnels the danger of engine crews being overcome with the fumes is ever present. Nearly 100 per cent Hikurangi coal is used on this section and this class of coal gives off choking fumes and is also extremely hot in the tunnels and the effect it has on members' heaith has been represented to the Railway Department. Regular passengers who travel on this section take good care to see that all carriage windows are closed before the train enters the tunnel, whereas the craw in front takes the precaution to have a good-sized wet towel to wrap around their heads. Branch Secretary.