REPAIRS TO BRIDGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 6

REPAIRS TO BRIDGE

LONGBURN RAIL MISHAP. EXPRESSES PUSHED ACROSS The repairing of the Longburn railway bridge,, which, was extensively damaged on Sunday morning by the arm of a logging tractor on a goods train breaking loose, dias been proceeding continuously since early on the day of . the mishap. Good progress has been made ana the northbound express trains were able to cross the bridge last night. Each train was pushed from Linton and a light shunting engine from Palmerston North backed on to the bridge and drew it into Palmerston North, where a change was made to another express engine. Thi9 step ohviated any danger which might have arisen with the very heavy engines on the structure. In addition, a rail-car and four goods trains crossed the bridge last night, and the two southbound expresses crossed this morning. ■lt is expected that all express trains will cross the bridge to-day, except those to and from Najjier, which are using the Wairarapa route. Passengers on other trains are being transhipped by road between Palmerston North and Linton.

Heavy passenger traffic has added to the difficulties of the departmental officials, but it has been handled efficiently and with the minimum of delay. Actually, the changing of engines' and pushing the express trains slowly to the bridge lias caused about the same amount'of delay as traushipping, 50 minutes.

Provided the rate of progress i« maintained in the repair work all trains will he using the bridge again to-night.