MAIN TRUNK CLOSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 229, 29 September 1942, Page 4

MAIN TRUNK CLOSED

EXPRESS DIVERTED PENDING SLIP NEAR TAIHAPE STRATFORD LINE BEING USED Because of serious slip danger between Taihape and Mataroa, the Main Trunk railway has been closed to all through traffic for three days, pending repairs which are being carried out by the maintenance branch. The trouble has developed between two tunnels on the Mataroa “bank,” a long climb north of Taihape. and till the track is normal all express trains between Wellington and Auckland are being run via the Stratford-Oka-hukura line. The additional mileage involved means an extra travelling time of approximately three and ahalf hours. The section Qf track now receiving attention has been regarded as a “soit spot” tor some time and has previously given trouble, but the position has been closely watched. It was stated yesterday that every precaution “has been taken for the safety of trains.

Heavy rain last week accentuated the danger of the slips, and when an inspection was made yesterday morning it was seen that there was a possibility of a high papa face falling oa to the permanent way. Steps weie immediately taken to suspend all traffic between Mataroa and Taihape, instructions to this effect being issued by the engineers shortly before 11 a.m.

It is not known when the line will again be open for traffic, but in the meantime there is a possibility of the engineers overcoming the problem by removing a portion of the hillside where a landslide is threatening. A deviation may be built to remove the rails from a locality which is considered dangerous. In the meantime schedules for all through services between Wellington and Auckland have had to be rearranged to include the longer route through Aramoho and Stratford. The express which left Wellington at 3 p.m. yesterday for Auckland was scheduled to leave Aramoho at 8.25 last night, an dthe express from Auckland to Wellington is due to pass through Aramoho at about 5 a.m. today. Fortunately, restrictedr ail services, due to the Waikato coal strike, have greatly reduced the number ot through trains which would normally use the Main Trunk line. This has relieved the position to a certain extent, but accommodation on the existing express trains between Wellington and Auckland is fully taxed. According to preliminarv advice received in Wanganui the WellingtonAuckland express yesterday consisted of 10 cars and two vans. There was a possibility that three locomotives would be required for the steep gradients between Turakina and Maxwell. It was stated yesterday that the rearrangement of Main Trunk expresses would not affect present services between Wanganui and Palmerston North and between Wanganui and Taranaki. The train leaving Marton at 9.10 a.m. daily for Taumarunui will run as far as Taihape only. Passengers. if any. will be transhipped by road to Mataroa.

At present only urgent freight is being accepted for transport by rail. Through goods between Wellington and Auckland coming under this classification will be conveyed via the Stratford line till the trouble near Taihape is rectified.