FOUR HOURS LATE

Southland Times, Issue 21100, 4 June 1930, Page 5

FOUR HOURS LATE

THE EXPRESS HELD UP. MISHAP TO RELIEF TRAIN. Held up by a blocked line between Pukerau and McNab, it was a considerably belated express which, whistling shrilly, swept into the Invercargill railway station at two minutes past one this morning—four hours late. Although save for the station lights and an occasional street lamp, Invercargill was in darkness, the railway platforms were the scene of considerable activity with the presence of a fair number of people awaiting more or less patiently the arrival of friends and relatives. Originally scheduled to arrive at Invercargill from Christchurch at 9.5 p.m. it was a little after 1 a.m. when the long train of 15 cars and two engines pulled up to unload tired but cheerful passengers who in a sporting spirit accepted the unexpected delay with forbearance. Within ten minutes the platforms were empty, and what percentage of the passengers were not being whisked away by the fleet of taxis waiting patiently outside the station were plodding homeward by dark and devious routes. The cause of all the trouble was an unfortunate accident to the special train from Dunedin to Gore, preceding the usual Christchurch to Invercargill express. Shortly after 7.30 p.m. at a point on the line between Pukerau and McNab, the engine sustained a broken tyre. Very fortunately the driver was able to bring the train to a standstill without further damage. . It so happened that the Invercargill to Christchurch night express was waiting at Gore for the special to arrive and when advice was received of the mishap, an engine and carriages was despatched to the scene. The passengers on the special transferred to this train and so were brought into Gore. The engine then returned to its incapacitated brother and repair work was commenced. Although it was proceeded with very quickly it was necessarily a slow task and here it was that much time was lost. When the wheel was repaired sufficiently to enable it to proceed on its way, the other engine was coupled on to the special train and towed it into Gore. The Invercargill express was then able to proceed on its way south and the night express on its way north after a delay of 31 hours.