TRAIN THRILLS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18222, 5 November 1924, Page 9

TRAIN THRILLS.

CUP DAY IN MELBOURNE. RACEGOERS AND HORSES HAVE EXCITING MORNING. (BT CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION CC'i'TRtOHT) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION) (Received November 4th. 8.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE. November 1. The eaily hours of Cup day were filled with sensations. During the rush of Cup traffic to Flemingtoji. a. carriage of a passenger train from North Melbourne burst into fames. The train was crowded, and the passengers tumbled out in panic. The flames wore quickly subdued, but all traffic was suspended, and many finished the journey into town afoot. Others attempted to get to the course in electric trains, but struck trouble, as many of (these were out of action. The trouble commenced at nine o'clock at the Spencer street Station, where the pantagraph of an empty race train became entangled in the overhead wires and brought them down in a tangled mass. The current was then switched off, throwing the whole northern system out of action. It was half an hour before the service was restored. Meantime the enormous crowd assembled outside Spencer street Station was bewailing its inability to reach the raoes. Motor and other vehicles did a roaring trade while the block lasted. A still more sensational incident occurred on a Jolimont electric train, in which Spearfelt. the Cup favourite. Lilypond, third favourite, and other horses were being transferred to Flemington. For some unexplained reason, the train tore down the overhead wires. A live wire fell across the train, which was set afire, but the current was instantly cut off, and the fire extinguished. The horses were extricated and sent forward to their destination. HORSES IN ANOTHER TRAIN. (BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE AS3OCIATIOH.) (Received November sth, 12.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 4. The Railway Commissioners state there is no foundation for the report that Spearfelt and other horses were in the burning train. What actually happened was that the gear on the top of a train approaching Flemington fouled the wire, causing fusing at the power-house. Traffic was delayed for an hour, but no damage was done. Spearfelt and the other horses were only in a train that was also held up by the general dislocation.