TARANAKI TRAINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23781, 8 October 1940, Page 6

TARANAKI TRAINS

STRATFORD MAIN LINE FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIRED OPEN BEFORE LABOUR DAY With only final details to be completed, the Stratford-Main Trunk railway line is expected to be reopened for the Auckland-New Plymouth express trains on October 20. The line has been closod to passenger expresses since,it was extensively damaged during floods eight months ago. If present plans materialise it will be operating normally by Labour Day, Octobef 28, so that confusion with holiday traffic will bo minimised. Many major obstacles have had to bo removed since repair work began on February 25. At the peak of activity over 200 inen were employed with machinery, which included bulldozers, winches and hauling gear. The major work was the construction of a permanent new bridge to span a 100 ft. washout in the Tangarakau Gorge. Timber had to be used to eliminate delay in obtaining steel. Tho worst dam ago was spread over two lengths of railway, extending SjQ, miles from Tahora to Mangataro and a further six miles between Tuhua and Okahukura. Over 200 slips and about 50 culverts and water drives had to be be cleared, and 30 subsidences and washouts were filled. Four tunnels blocked with logs and rubble also had to bo cleared. The work has taken much longer than expected, but only finishing touches now have to be completed. When the line is reopened for normal traffic.the only speed restrictions will be those formerly observed. Goods services, providing restricted passenger accommodation for local districts, have been operating over the line since the end of April, but all passenger expresses have been using t'he roundabout route via Marton."