HEAVY SLIPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 9

HEAVY SLIPS

ON THE MAIN TRUNK LINE . GOODS ENGINE DERAILED Tho heavy and persistent rain experienced in Wellington and inland du/ring the past fortnight is having an effect on eome of the railway cuttings where the ground is of an unstable character. During Thursday night a "largo piece ef ground slipped away in a i uttiiig on the Main Trunk lino between Taihape and Mataroa, and at 3 a.m. yesterdav a foods train from Ohakmio ran full tilt into the heaped mp earth, which was banked up across the line, with tho result that tho engine was overturned and six wagons were badly smashed. No one was injured. A relief gang was promptly on tho scene yesterday morning, clearing tho iiw. As the result of this block tlio Railway Department reported yesterday that all goods traffic beyond Morton was suspended. The express. fro!>i Auckland was unable to get through, and the passengers had to be transferred to an emergency train on tho southern side of the slip. This train arrived here at 6 o'clock last evening—nearly five hours behind schedule time. Beyond a rather muddy experience, no particular hardships were suffered) in making the transfer. The Main Trunk line is also blocked by Blips between Ohakuno and Marlon, and it is expected that tha obstruction will not be cleared away before to-morrow. Passengers bound for stations beyond Marton would not be able to get through yesterday. . A Press Association message from laihape yesterday stated:—lneessant rain for several weeks is causing slips in ,-t<rious localities oil the Main Trunk line. The express was held up at Mataroa, just north of Taihape. Another slip is reported south of Taihape, into which a train ran and became derailed. Clearing gangs are being sent from Taihape. A later message fiom raihapo saia: The largest slip on the railway is between Taihape and Mataroa. The 1 a.m. goods train from Ohakune, which was drawn by two engines, ran into tho slip. Both the engines and some of l he trucks were derailed. Soma of the trucks were considerably smashed. The AucklandWellington express was met by a relief train. The passengers on the mail tram were transferred and brought to 'Taihape, when a stop was made tor breakfast.. They were then sent on to tlie slip between Hnntervffie and Bata, where another transfer was made. The eait-i and rock on the una north of Taihape are of considerable volume, and it is expected .that a clearance will not be completed under two days, lhe driv-io and stokers were not injured. WELLINGTON-AUCKLAND EXPRESS HELD UP. By Telegraph—Press Association. . Marton, June 28. Owing to the large slip on the railway line between Taihape and Silverhope the Main Trunk .train was unable to get through this evening, and the passengers by the express were held up at Marton. It is expected that tho line will be sufficiently cleared to enable the train to proceed on its. journey •at 5.30 in the morning. The majority of the passengers are making the best of it and are camping on the train at Marton Junction. Breakfast, is promised at the Government dining rooms at half-past four. The telegraph office at Marton Junction had a busy time this evening receiving telegrams for Auckland and intermediate stations. A slip occurred on the tramline to Karori just beyon.l tho 'unnel during the night, but was removed by an Emergency gang in time for tho cidin"nry traffio to be resumed yesterday morning.