CLEARING AWAY THE DEBRIS

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 29 May 1914, Page 6

CLEARING AWAY THE DEBRIS

WORK NOW IN PROGRESS.

ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO ROLLING-STOCK.

The collection and disposal of the wreckage was continued yesterday. Tho main line "had been cleared on Wednesday afternoon, but the siding will not be available for use before this afternoon. • •

A full estimate of the damage to the rolling-stock was made to-day. The locomotive of the express train remains on its side ir. the swampy land' on the eastern side of the embankment, just as it fe11... Examination showed that only, a few steam pipes have been broken, and when these and some other minor damages have been repaired the engine will. be availablo for use aiiain. . Eight waggons of tho goods train wero dostroyed by the collision. They were two cattle-and four sheep waggons, one covered goods van, and one open goods truck.; All of theso will havo to bo rebuilt, as only various parts arc of any practical value. Repairs will bo required in the case of eeveral other waggons. The sleeper car and the postal van will also require reconstruction, as both the under-frame and bodies were greatly damaged by telescoping. Both vehicles havo been repaired so that they can bo hauled to the repair shops. Twenty-four men were employed at Whangamarino to-day (the Huntly corespondent of the "Korald" telegraphs) in clearing away the wreckage. All that is useful in the way of wheels, iron, and other material, is being loaded into trucks to bo removed to the Nowmarket railway workshops, while woodwork that was so shattered as to be of no further value is bein£ burned. The direction of the work was undertaken by tho chjef mechanical engineer (Mr H. H. Jackson), who arrived in Auckland from Wellington by the first express train and returned to Whangamarino by the noon train. "

Tho difficult operation of restoring tne overturned locomotive to tho line will be undertaken on Sunday, as the railway will then be clear of traffic. The powerful plant required to lift it will be assembled in position to-day and to-morrow.