MISHAP AT RAILWAY STATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4421, 1 March 1930, Page 2

MISHAP AT RAILWAY STATION

HAKE OF TRUCKS AND ENGINE COLLIDE.

LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. A mishap which was fortunately not attended by any very serum-, results occurred at the local railway station at I o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. T. B. Yardiev, engine driver in charge of the mid-day Foxlon-Palmerston North train, was engaged in shunting operations in the yard prior to tin* train’s departure. At the same time Mr. L. \V. Richardson, of Air. R. N. Spoil’s’ limber yard, was engaged in unloading timber from a truck into a lorry in the yard facing the station. The truck lie was working on was one of a fairly long rake on a loop line and near to it was a truck of (lax. Air. L. McCarthy pulled in his lorry to commence unloading the (lax and as room was somewhat cramped Ah'. Richardson 'uncoupled five or six trucks and started thorn off down the loop to give more room. lie was unaware of tin 1 engine operating on the other line converging on the loop at the time of starting tile trucks off and did no! expeel them to move any great distance. A slight down grade was sufficient to cause the rake to keep on moving, however, and as Mr. Yardly was bringing the engine and one truck into the loop be noticed the trucks which expected to find stationary, on the move. lie immediately applied the brakes; and the engine came to a standstill in a very short distance, fml I lie 1 rucks caught it a glancing blow hoi ween the cab and the cowcatcher, breaking a gas tube to the headlight and doing minor damage. The trucks bucked about on the line with l lie collision, hill only the leading one was derailed. The front corner of il was smashed, the line 'buckled and the truck jambed lightly against the engine which v. as converging on lint had not ap-pro,-lehed the loon at the rime. Timber jacks were requisitioned from a logging gang working in the yard and wit it the assistance of tho engine's jacks the truck was lifted clear of the engine which was then aide to proceed to Palmerston N., leaving an hour late at 2 p.m.

The damaged truck contained limber which was to leave on the afternoon Irani and owing to the mishap was held up.