VIADUCT CATCHES FIRE

Chronicle (Levin), 11 March 1946, Page 8

VIADUCT CATCHES FIRE

-Press Association

RAILWAY TRAFFIC DIVERTED

I By Telegraph-

\V A.nWAa b i, Aiarcli ui. Kailwav traflic between wellington and Auckland was temporarily disrupt ' ed as a result of a lire which occurred j on the Makohine viaduct, seven miJes | north of Hunterville, this morning. The I outbivak was discovered by a passing motorist, who noticed that tiie sleep j ers were burning at the northern end of ! the viaduct, and notilied the raihvav authorities in HunterviMe. Hurfacemen who were lespatehed im ' mediateJv found. that ti. e viaduct wa« i un fire, and handicapped by Jack o'f I water, could do iiothiu« till a speciai j train from Taihape brought dOOO gaj lons of water, j The fire was supprei ed sliortly aftej i> j). 111.,* but in the meantime aboijt j .'!() yards of wooden decking and sleep I ers liad been burned out. j Repair gangs were working late toiiiglit and it was expected that the via:- | duct would be safe for the passage of trains by 2 o'clock tomoi ow morning. | 1 11 the meantime the ordinary Kunday j express from 'Wellington to Auckland was diverted to the longer route" through Arainolio rnd tlie Stratford Okahukura Hue. The extra mileage in volved an additiona] travelling time of ubout. 21 hours.