MAIN TRUNK REPAIRS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 5

MAIN TRUNK REPAIRS

EXPRESSES GET THROUGH NORMAL TIMES EXPECTED MORE WORK NECESSARY (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The Main Trunk line, which was blocked 'by a large wash-out that occurred on, Monday morning five miles soulth of Te Kuiti, is again open if or traffic. After long delays the express trains for Auckland and Wellington were able to negotiate the wash-out early yesterday afternoon and reached their destinations many hours late.

Through trains were dispatched from Auckland and Wellington practically on time yesterday afternoon and evening, and it was expected that they would arrive at the opposite terminals almost on schedule.

The afternoon express dispatched from Wellington on Monday did not reach Auckland until 5.56 p.m. yesterday. instead of 5 a.m. The Limited express, i due at 9.30 o’clock, did not arrive until 6.36 ip.m.

Passengers on the two expresses which left Auckland for Wellington on Monday night were even later in reaching their destination.

Numerous Cancellations

Owing to fairly numerous cancellations, there were comparatively few passengers on the two expresses which arrived at Auckland last night. Most of. the travellers were very tired after spending so many hours on the train, buit they accepted the situation philosophically and there were few complaints. i

■Fortunately the weather in the King Country was 'fine, and with the carriages well heated no discomfort was experienced in this respect.

Traffic is now returning to normal between Te Kui’ti and Taumarunui. Over the repaired wash-out it is necessary to reduce speed as the rails sag slightly into the new filling, although not sufficiently to give rise to any fears regarding safety. Work is still proceeding on the filling and on a temporary culvert replacing one that was .blocked. Owing to the level of the water it is still impossible to get at the blocked culvert, which has almost certainly collapsed and will require replacement.