MISHAPS TO EXPRESSES,

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18901, 22 March 1933, Page 7

MISHAPS TO EXPRESSES,

THREE CARRIAGES DERAILED. SEVERAL WASH-OUTS ON LINE. TAUMARUNUI, Wednesday. As the result of incessant heavy rain during the day, three carriages and a van of the limited express, which left Auckland last evening, were derailed at a wash-out near Okahukura and the ordinary express which left Wellington yesterday afternoon ran into a slip south of Tnumarunui. The engine was embedded in the slip. Nobody was injured. Traffic will be disorganised for a considerable period as rail communication with Taumarunui is obstructed both north and south by slips and wash-outs. Heavy rain during the day caused a wash-out on a level stretch of track near Okahulcura, and when the express . passed over this section the rails, lacking support, spread outwards. The express was travelling very slowly, as warning had been received previously that the track might be affected by the rain. No structural damage was done to ■the express. Further wash-outs occurred between Taumarunui and Okahulcura and communication was cut off between the derailed express and the Taumarunui station. A goods train was delayed on the Taumarunui side of the wash-out. Engine Runs Into Slip. The afternoon express from Wellington struck a minor wash-out near Manson's siding. This was negotiated at a very slow speed, but a mile from Oio the engine ran into a slip in which it became embedded. Arrangements were made to have the train hauled hack to Raurimu to allow a work train to pass through to clear the line. A brcalc-down train, consisting of an engine and van, was depatched at 1.38 a.m. from Frankton Junction. This train picked up a heavy crane at Ohaupo, where it was joined by a gang of workmen. The district engineer of the Railway Department at Ohakune, Mr Dow, left for the scene of the mishap at an early hour this morning. He stated that the position appeared to be very serious and there seemed to be little possibility of any traffic getting through for some time. The train which left Auckland at 4 a.m. for Frankton took a breakdown van.

Other Trains Held Up. The limited express which left Wellington for Auckland at 7.10 p.m. was held at Waiouru, owing to floods near Karioi, 10 miles to the northward. At Karioi station floodwater was over 2ft. deep, above the level of the platform. A slip fell at Piriaka, seven miles south of Taumarunui, while a number of minor wash-outs have been reported in the Taumarunui district. A train bound from Stratford to Taumarunui was held up near Matlere by a slip.