SIGNAL BOX FIRE
EXPRESSES DELAYED
AUCKLAND RAILWAY (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. An outbreak of fire in an automatic signal (box almost underneath the Gladstone road overbridge delayed tine departure of two expresses for Wellington and temporarily suspended shunting operations in the Auckland railway yards last night. Although not extensive, the damage interfered with the signalling and points system and temporary expedients had to be adopted before the trains could leave the platform.
The fire was noticed at 7 O’clock, 15 minutes before the Limited express was scheduled to leave- with the holiday traffic nearing its height. Hundreds of people were awaiting the .departure of the two trains, but comparatively few were aware of the clouds of smoke rising from the signal box several hundred yards further down the line.
Members of the yard staff suppressed the outbreak before the arrival of three fire engines from the Central and Parnell stations.
The fusing of a cable was the cause of .the fire, which placed a large portion of the signalling system out of commission. Some of the instruments in the box were disabled and sections of wiring and flooring were also damaged.
The effects of the disruption were transmitted to a second signal box controlling the main line on which the expresses were to travel. With all ‘the signal lights showing red, traffic in the yards was at a standstill and it was necessary for the points to be changed by hand before the Limited express could leave the station at 7.29 ,p.m.
The second express was also delayed for about 10 minutes.
Repairs to the damaged equipment were commenced by the staff of electricians. Temporary measures were adopted to operate the points and enable the normal services to be maintained.
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Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19820, 23 December 1938, Page 5
Word Count
292SIGNAL BOX FIRE Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19820, 23 December 1938, Page 5
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