DAY AND HALF IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES

Chronicle (Levin), 20 May 1946, Page 8

DAY AND HALF IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES

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iSLIPS tMMJtffe EXPSESS VKUK

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CHElSfCHURCH, May 19. Passengers on the Chiistehufch-PRF' ton express wliich left Ckfistchureii 6ii Friday morning, had a iiiost unenviable exj)erienee as tlie train Avas isloated by extensive slips about 20 miles north of Kaikoura, and 180 passengers spent Friday niglit a'nd all Saturday in the carriages. • The train stopped at Kaikoura, foi* luueh and tlien continued its journey but nortlf of Clarence the 'first signs of troubie were encountered and the train returned t.o Kaikoura where' it femained.most of Ffiday afternooft. Heavy rain had been falling in the Kaikoura district and many large slips occiiri*ed. Conditions improved and at 8.35 p.iu. on Fiidhy the"tfkin hgain left Kaikoura in an attempt to get thrOtigh to Picton. Further serious slips were encountered and the traiti was held xip between Clarence and Rakautara. It was tlien fdtind that slips had oCCiirred behind the train and it was linable to go fotwafd or return to Kaikotifa» Tlie' railways road service at Kaikoura was notified and three buses were sent out to bi'ing the passengers 'baek to Kaikoura. Tlie busts, ho^ever, got within-only live •miles of the. train aiid in the iueantime the road behind them was bloeked with slips. The plrght of the passengers was lessened' by the assistance of faimers who organiSed relays of hot tea and also slaiightered sheep. Piciiic meals were organiscd bv the railways stafli who j)urchased supplies fronoi a nearby country store: Maintenance trains were sent from Christchurch aiict Blenheim and bulldozers Avere also used in an endeavour to foree a way through the slips. Last eveniug a train from Blenheim succeedea in getting within a few miles of ihe isolated train and the passengers were transferred and arrived in Blenheim about 9.80 last niglit. Sixty one passengers wh o had intended taking the inter-island ferry from Picton, Were flown to the Noi'th Tsland by five aircraft from the R.N.Z.A.F. which left Blenheim this afternoon. Offieials of, the Railways Department said this evening that it was expected that the line would be cleared tonight and the normal service woiild start toniorrow. The Picton -Christchurch express on Friday reached Christchurch at 12,45 a.m. yestordayq haviug left Kaikoura six hours behind schedule. Flood waters coming over the railway line two miles north of Clarence caused the first washotit.and the rear car of tlie express/ guard's van and roadside wagon, Were left on the north side of tlie wftshout after the passengers from the re'ar car had been transferred to other carriages. The rear car was later derailed but Wlien tllq rain ceased temporarliy^ the t ar was "placed on the line. Fdr the 24 hours eiided 9.30- a.m. yesttHViy, 01ff> inqhep of f'ain was recorded in tlie Clarence district.