TUNNEL INCIDENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 198, 24 August 1935, Page 9

TUNNEL INCIDENT

RAILWAY INQUIRY UNUSUAL CIMCUMSTANCES REPORT BY MANAGER. ( Per Press Association.). WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. The General Manager of Railways (Mr. Mackley), authorised by the Railways Board, has issued a statement connection with the Poro-o-Tarao derailment. The finding of the Departmental inquiry confirms the earlier conclusion that the accident was due to a most unusual combination, of unfavourable circumstances, resulting in the presence of a small though sufficient quantity of carbon monoxide gas in the engine cab to overcome the men on the footplate. It was the first case of the kind associated with the New Zealand railways, nor had they any record of a similar case iu other parts of the railway world. “The conditions, both in relation to tho accumulation of gas and its escape from tho firebox iu small though sufficient volume to overcome the men before the atmospheric conditions or movement of the train could dispel it, would, he was assured by. professional men of standing, require to be absolutely perfect, and they hold the view, as do the Departmental experts, that the likelihood of such a perfect set of maximum unfavourable conditions again developing is extremely re mote indeed.’’ Everything reasonably practicable would be done to make assurance doubly sure and guard against the possibility of such a set of circumstances arising in combination in the future. Mr. Mackley adds that the board desires him to allay any public apprehension that may exist as a result of tho recent derailments to goods trains or semi-goods trains working on the running lines. He points out that trucks are four-wheeled vehicles, but the carriages aro carried on bogies. The annual mileage run by goods trains is 5,972,692 and passenger trains 4,653, 708. When it is remembered that the Department has 27,310 goods wagons running so many million miles a year, tho incidence of mishaps is seen in the true proportion. The Department has a record achievement in regard to immunity from passenger accident of , which it is rightly proud. The conditions of the permanent way and. rolling s tock were never better than at the present time, expenditure on those two items alone amounting in the last financial year to £644,396 and £926,797 respectively.