MAIN LINE BLOCKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1080, 18 September 1930, Page 1

MAIN LINE BLOCKED

LIMITED ON WESTFIELD DEVIATION FIRST EXPRESS ACROSS Owing to the derailment of four trucks at Penrose blocking the main line this morning, the Limited was diverted to the Westfield deviation and passengers were brought into Auckland for the first time by the City's new gateway—across Hobson Bay. Four trucks were derailed about 200 yards south of the Penrose railway station and swung across, blocking both the lines. The accident occurred at nine o'clock and the derailed trucks were the last four of a works train comprising 16 trucks of ballast. The train was 'travelling from the Mount Smart quarries to Papatoetoe. The unlucky thirteenth truck left the line, taking the other three with it. The trucks were unloaded and pulled on to the track again with the aid of an engine. Fortunately the track was not damaged and the line was clear shortly after 10 o’clock. DIVERTED AT WESTFIELD The Limited, reaching Otahuhu up to time at 9.11. was diverted at Westfield and reached Auckland at 10.20, 48 minutes late, after travelling at a low speed across the new line and creeping carefully along the track that had been cleared for it, amid the maze of lines in the goods yard. Passengers thoroughly enjoyed the experience of travelling on the new route and were most, appreciative of the beauty of the new approach to the Citj'. . , Most of the suburban trains had passed through Penrose before the derailment occurred, hut three other trains were affected beside the Limited. The Taneatua express, which left Auckland at nine o clock, was held at Penrose for an hour, passing over the cleared track at 10.L0. The local train from Papakura, which is due in. Auckland at 10.10, was held at Otahuhu for 36 mimftes, and the 9 28 train from Auckland to Papakura was delayed at Penrose for 22 minutes The truck was cleared in time for the Rotorua express, which left Auckland at 10.10, to pass through Penrose on time. There will be no alte- ations in the timetable during the day, the track now being completely cleared.