MISHAP TO GOODS TRAIN.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19178, 8 December 1927, Page 8

MISHAP TO GOODS TRAIN.

SMASH AT MIDDLETON.

ENGINE AND EIGHT WAGGONS DERAILED. Shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon tho engine and eight trucks of the Springfield goods train were derailed near Middleton station as the tiain was about to enter the Middleton marshalling yards. Fortunately tho driver (Ulrich), tho fireman (Boyce), and the guard (Nicholls) escaped unhurt. • The wrecked waggons fouled the main up line and consequently the express from tho south, which should nave arrived at Christchurch at w p.m. was delayed .on the siding at Mw* aleton till close upon 6 p.m., to allow southern-bound traffic to pass. Jumping the Points. The derailment was caused by the AB engine (with tank attached) jumping the points leading from the main up line into the marshalling yards. The Springfield goods was a long and heavy train with a mixed cargo. The accident occurred at 4.15 p.m., and in all only eight waggons —three of steal and five of timber —were concerned in the derailment. These comprised four waggons filled with coal, two carrying wool, one carrying skins, and one empty. One of the waggons was mark, ed to be taken off for repairs. When the engine jumped the points it finished up, after twisting the neavy steel rails, by ploughing into the ballast, but remained upright. By this fortunate happening the driver and the fireman escaped injury. The waggons immediately behind tho tender were, as tho result of the impact from the heavy load behind, scattered about in an extraordinary manner. Those constructed of timber were crumpled up as if they had been made of matchwood. The steel waggons were, in somo instances, turned half-way round, so that they remained at right angles across the rails. Instead of facing north and south, they were facing east and west Clearing the Wreckage. A wreckage removal gang and crane were got to the locality with all promptitude, and the work of removing the waggons was put in hand. The waggons containing the wool and skins wore emptied before they were removed. The removal of the waggons presented little difficulty, but the work of getting the big and heavy AB ongine and tender on the rails again took some considerable time. . 1

Mr H. Chapman, District Traffic Manager, Mr H. C. Lusty, assisting district engineer, and other officials were at the scene of the mishap shortly after it occurred.

By midnight tho gang employed in removing the wreckage had cleared the trucks away, although the engine was still unmoved. It was hoped that two hours' further work would enable the engine to be cleared, when tho work of repairing the lino would immediately be undertaken. The line will in all probability be restored to order by this morning.