MAIN TRUNK LINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 10

MAIN TRUNK LINE

ANOTHER SLIP OCCUBS REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTION N EXPRESSES • NOT DELAYED Another slip near Hihitahi, 17 miles north, of Taihape, again blocked the Main Trunk line shortly after midday yesterday, and it was at first thought that traffic would have to be diverted over the Taranaki route. The work of clearing the blockage had proceeded satisfactorily during the evening, however, and it was decided to send both the afternoon and limited expresses over the main line. The slip., which .was composed mostly of soft mud, came down near the Hihitahi station while a work train was engaged on the scene The debris piled against the sides of the waggons, but did not submerge or derail them. Attention was at once transferred to clearing the train and the line, and the waggons had been freed by about seven o'clock in the evening. Local services were disorganised by the slip, and it was announced prior to the departure of the 3 p.m. express from Auckland that the train, would probably have to take the Tarantiri route. The progress of the work at the slip later indicated that the line could be cleared sufficiently during the evening to allow both the afternoon and limited expresses to pass with little delay, and they were sent over the main line. Both expresses from Wellington are expected to arrive at Auckland, this morning at the normal time; Both the north-bound trains travelled over the Main Trunk route yesterday morning, and arrived at Auckland ittt time.