A HEAVY LIFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 2

A HEAVY LIFT

ENGINE DOWN BANK RESTORATION TO TRACK FEAT ON WEST COAST A difficult feat of engineering, involving one of the heaviest lifts attempted on the West Coast, was carried out on Monday, when the 78ton locomotive which, on' November 23, left the railway line and fell down an embankment along the Arnold River between Kaimata and Aratika Was restored to the track. A work train hauled by two engines left Greymouth at 4 a.m. for the scene of the accident, where about 30 men began work under the supervision of the district engineer, Mr. P. H. Morey, and the locomotive engineer, Mr. J. Binstead, both of Christchui-ch. The two engines were used to anchor two cranes, one brought from Dunedin and the other from Christchurch, each with a lifting ’capacity of 40 tons. The actual lift began at 10.30 a.m. There was a tense moment before it was seen that the preparations had proved effective and about half-an-hour later the derailed engine was restored to the track. It was towed to Greymouth, where it is believed the necessary repairs can be done. When the accident Occurred last month the engine-driver, Mr. S. Horn, was killed.