THE DRIVER'S STORY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13890, 24 June 1938, Page 5

THE DRIVER'S STORY

OF THE RATANA SMASH SPEED AT THE FATAL BEND. Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, Last Night, 4 . Th P last witness called by the hoard oi inquiry set up to investigate the Katana railway disaster on March 2(3 concluded his evidence to-day. On Monday, the final day, counsel will address the board, the last witness was the driver of the train, E. C. Percival, who was cross-examined on various aspects of the derailment, principally the speed of the train and the log conditions on Katana hat. The driver said he was certain he effectively reduced the speed to 25 miles an hour just before the smash. The suggestion made by the Departmental expert that the train reached the six-chain curve at 50 miles an hour was ridiculous. Though the fireman had not previously been over the Palmerston North-Wanga-nui section witness said it was the usual practice for the driver to have his regular mate and he made no objection. The inquiry was adjourned at 5 p in. and will be resumed at 10.30 a.m. on Monday. The driver said he; was familiar with the AB 829 locomotive involved in the accident on the night of March 25. He booked on 50 minutes before the train wa i due to depart. He was satisfied that he had had sufficient rest Millar, the fireman, had been with him for six weeks before the accident and witness preferred to have him because ho was his regular mate. Mr O’Leary -. Did you know when Millar was going with you that he was not acquainted with the Palm-erston-—Aramoho section ? Witness ■ Yes. I made no objection Aon examined the locomotive and were satisfied with its condition?

Yes. The makes were used frequently cn the trip and functioned properly The last time I used them before going over the Katana flat was on Die Tlov.-n grade to Turakma. There was no question of them not functioning satisfactorily? They were quite all right there, also when I used them on the. Katana flat before the accident. The engine had not been detached from the train eu route. , , , ~ , Mi O’Leary quoted the rule whicn specified that drivers should proceed _ cautiously in a fog so that they would f j„> able *to stop short of signals. “Did you consider that rule applied in the case of the fog you ran into?” counsel asked witness Witness: No. There were no fixed signals on Katana flat “In every circumstance a driver must be guided by prudence and judgment and always bear lit nnnd the public safety,” said Air O'Leary, quoting a further regulation. “In_a fog you would keep that rule m mind ?” Witness: Yes. Did von notice when you consulted the working timetable in Wellington that Irom the point between Bonnv Cllen and Turakina to the bottom .1 the Fordell grade the maximum speed authorised for the distance, 16 nnle3, was 35 miles an houi ?—Yes. Leaving out the question of mileages, the working timetable informed you that you should not exceed 35 miles an hour f&v a considerable distance up to Fordell, including the area where the accident happened. It it is correct you were travelling at 40 miles an hour near Katana you were not observing the restriction m the working timetable? ■ When I say 40 miles an, hour 1 niight have been under. There is no way of judging You must, rely upon your .own discretion. . Do you agree with other drivers who gave evidence and said they could judge the speed ton couple ot miles . ther wiy?—l think I cou.d do as well as the best ot them if you v-ere travelling at 40 miles an hour you were no* observing the spied i ■ -unctions ?—Me hud a. good straight tiack. Do you think a good straight track entitles lou to disregard the spent restrictions:— According to m.v estimation 1 wa.- a shade above the speed laid down. You can usually go two or three miles over the maximum laid down bv the maintenance people unless on a special restriction. Questioned about the speed on the curves, witness said, on an easy grade it was sometimes pc ssible to travel a soeed slightly, it: excess ot that authorised. .

For half a mile you were running in a fog and could crily see a chain ahead Leaving out the rule about fixed signals those conditions were Tin usual and called lor great prudence and care on, your part? les. You ran on and your next action «f importance after speaking to your mate about the speed restriction was to put on the brakes and. reduce the speed from 37 miles an hour. How long were the brakes actually on?—I would only be guessing, but would *av three to four seconds. Yau can tell by the feel of the train when the speed .is reduced. I reckoned T was down to the speed at which 1 would run round the curve ll I had missed the speed hoard . Ilia von think you were taking a risk with a visibility of only a chain i„ proom-ding at 25 miles an hour?--With good country and no nkelihood < f, s* ructions \V<* were not looking Tor ohsernchon's in, that, locality. T <ronsidei ed I was in mv rights You had not seen the speed board. 1 was under the impression it was further on. Questioned further about the service application ot brakes made before the derailment, witness m all_ ftwer* to the chairman said the 1000responded readily. The rails werf not greasy “In view of tbe miles per hour ]>er eeeond rou travelled,” said the chairman. “do you still think that keeping the brakes on for four seconds » Was a £00(1 guess, if it takes 12 ucconds with a four or five pound application to reduce the* speed from m hour?*' V/itn. said h.» could not say the ex . t ;>iv~si:n** of the application. He did . rdcr to the "Westinghouse

brake gauge in the cab. He agreed with Mr P. A. Angus, locomotive superintendent that a 41b to -lib application would give a retardation ot a mile per hour }>er second in which case his estimate of the brakes being on for four seconds would be extended to 12 seconds Witness saul he might have- made a heavier application but no more than lOlbs, in which case the rate <>l retardation, would bo even greater Witness added that he usually judged the speed bv the beat <rf the locomotive and b'v checking passing objects The chairman: Would you say you would judge the speed as accurately when running down the Katana straight in a fog? Witness: AH 1 would have to help mo would be the clank oi. the siderods. In these circumstances can you *»e certain of your estimate of 40 miles an hour? .. Yes, I still feel reasonably certain of that because there was not much fog at Katana. Mv estimate ot 3. or 38 miles an hour beyond Katana was based on the knowledge that the loconmtive should retard slightly when I shut off steam. Cross-examined by Mr Watson, witness agreed that the speed recorder in tile cab would be a help under similar circumstances Mr Watson: Until to-day you have not been asked how long the brakes were applied? Witness: That is correct. You have no doubt the. speed was effectively reduced to 25 miles an hour?—No doubt a.t all. Did von consider there was the slightest danger, to the passengers on the train or yourself when travelling at 40 miles an licrar or when vou reduced to 37 or 38 miles an hour alter passing through Katana? No. At the time you n ode the statements to Detective Murray you knew liothinp- of the inquiry being set up? That is correct. It was over three weeks before 1 was allowed to see

c a newspaper.