TRAIN WRECKING.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1926, Page 1

TRAIN WRECKING.

TWO ATTEMPTS MADE. LIMITED EXPRESS’ ESCAPE. [tiY TELECKAI'U—I’KH VP.KS3 ASSOCIATION.] PALMERSTON X., March 9. TVhai appears to he a dastardly attempt was made last evening to wreck the north bound limited express, when an obstruction, consisting of beams from cattle stops, were placed across the metals at the crossings at Terrace End and Kelvin Grove, the former being suburban anil the latter some three miles distant from Palmerston North.

In the case of Terrace End one beam had been wrenched from the stop and placed on the rails, it was shattered hv the bogey wheel of the engine. At Kelvin Grove four beams were placed on the line, one of which wat brown clear. The other three wore smashed.

On the second occasion the train slopped, but resumed its journey and the incident was reported at Podding.

Gangers wore iimmediately sent to the crossings concerned ami the police advised this morning that Senior-De-tective Quirkc was investigating, but Hie perpetrator, or perpetrators, were vet unknown.

There is no doubt as to the attempts, particularly on the limited, tor at Terrace End the Main Trunk and the Xapier lines run side by side and the beams wore placed only on the termer. A train passed over the line an hour and a half before when the latter waclear.

Ii i< regarded as a furtniinio escape Iron) what, might have been a serious derailment.

It is believed not to be tlm work of children. The beams at the cattle -tops are nailed by Hie ends ft) the i ross pieces, but- the wood bad paHL rolled ami would not require real strength to wrench them lrom their position.