SEVENOAKS DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20191, 31 August 1927, Page 9

SEVENOAKS DISASTER

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY. ENGINE ROLLED BADLY. (Prc«» Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ) LONDON, August >29. Expert witnesses gave evidence at the Sevenoaks railway disaster that the “ river typo engine involved in the smash was known to start a rolling motion at a speed of 50 miles an hour. The locomotive inspector said that he had investigated a complaint in June that the “ river typo ’’ engine rolled badly near Tonbridge. This was distinctly ap- v parent both going and corning, whereupon tho engine was taken off. Two similar engines were involved in a previous derailment. He travelled in tho wrecked train, which averaged 56 miles an hour, but the fastest point was between Tonbridge and Ashford, where the speed was 60 miles. One witness suggested that the rolling was duo to the water in the tanks on the side causing the engine to roll when a certain speed was exceeded. The driver stated that bis experience of them generally was good, but they certainly rolled at high speed. The inquiry was adjourned.—A. and N.Z. Cable.