LINE BLOCKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25345, 29 October 1945, Page 4

LINE BLOCKED

SLIP ON MAIN TRUNK THREE TRAINS DELAYED 1380 PEOrLE AFFECTED A fairly extensive slip on the Main Trunk railway line between Te ELuiti and Taumarunui caused a long delay to the two expresses which left Auckland for Wellington and New Plymouth at li o'clock and 7.50 respectively last evening. it was expected that the trains would be delayed for about live hours and that the express due to arrive at Auckland at 7 o'clock this morning would be two or three hours late. Passengers from the trains could not be transported around the slip by motor vehicle owing to the poor condition of the roads. There were about 550 passengers on the express for Wellington, and about 350 fin the one for New Plymouth. About 480 people were travelling on the train from Wellington to Auckland. Discovery by Patrol The slip, which occurred in the middle of a cutting between Poro-o-tarao and Waiiniha, was discovered at about 10 o'clock by a surface patrol which was inspecting the line as a matter of routine following wet weather. 'Die spoil across the line measured about 12 yards in length and was piled up to Bft. high. The express bound for Wellington was stopped at Puketutu, about LI miles south of Te Kuiti. shortly after 10 o'clock, and the New Plymouth train was detained at Te Kuiti, where it arrived shortly after midnight.

Clearing Work Two work trains were sent to the slip, one from Taumarunui, which worked from the southern end of the cutting, and the other from Te Kuiti at the northern end. Gangs of surfacemen were collected en route, and the work of clearing the line was commenced about half an hour after midnight. The work was complicated by the fact that railway trucks had to be loaded with spoil and then taken clear of the cutting to be emptied. The gangs were still working on the slip at an early hour this morning. It was expected that the AucklandWellington train would return to Te Kuiti for the passengers to obtain refreshments. TARANAKI RIVERS SWOLLEN SLIPS AND FLOODING OCCTTR (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday Continuous rain and wind experienced throughout Taranaki yesterday and today resulted in swollen rivers and minor damage to electric power installations. A slip on the Qkau-Ohura Road, a mile from Ahititi, has blocked all traffic. The Tongaporutu River is in flood and in places the Okau Road is under water. A swing bridge was swept away by flood waters. Damage was done to power lines in North Taranaki and the coastal district as far south as Opunake. Telephone communication with the Stratford and Dawson Falls mountain houses has heen cut off.