LETTERS TO THE JSDITOK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE JSDITOK

EXCESSIVE SPEED 0F TRAINS

Sir, —"Traveller" does well to stir up the question of excessive speed of trains over sharp and dangerous curves. One does- not want to. appear nervy or pessimistic, but some of our trains in this country, with its narrow gauge, are running for a big smash ono of these days, unless something is done to check the excessive speed° on many curves on'the down grade. Years ago I complained of the speed of heavy trains on portions of the Eimutaka line both sides of the summit, and "Traveller" is quite correct in what he says of the Huuterville portion of railway, and I still contend, as I did then, that should necessity call for the sudden application of the emergency brake when taking such curves at tlio speed they are taken, it will mean tho throwing from tho line, it may not be a heavy goods train, but some heavilyladen passenger train, cutting it out to get in on time, some poor driver having to watch that there is no complaint against liim for not keeping to schedule timo, and ho']] catch it if he happens to be the poor beggar who laiids a lew hundred people over, a- bank. The "taking the risk" policy will no doubt go on till we catch trouble, and then it will be a case of -who shall take tho blamo, and we shall see many individuals and Departments trying to clear themselves, and telling us who should or should not have done tliis or that.—l am, etc., ! STEADY.