BOULDER ON MAIN LINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 696, 22 June 1929, Page 1

BOULDER ON MAIN LINE

MISHAP TO EXPRESS DERAILMENT AVERTED (Special to THE SUN) WELLINGTON, Friday. The second Main Trunk express from Auckland on Thursday evening was almost derailed when running out of the second tunnel north of Mangaweka early this morning. A slip had begun to creep across the line but the rails were still clear except for a boulder, about 2ft in diameter, which was lying on the right-hand rail. The emergency brakes were applied but the engine's cowcatcher struck the boulder, pushing it from the line. It apparently spun inwards again as the four wheels on the right side of the tender struck the obstruction in turn, leaping over it and coming back to the rails again. The boulder was on the cowcatcher of the second engine when the train was pulled up. Sound sleepers were not awakened by the sudden stop or the noise of the train crew clearing away the boulder, which weighed about 2cwt. ANOTHER DERAILMENT LINE AGAIN BLOCKED SLIP NEAR WELLINGTON , Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. Several wagons of a mixed goods and passenger train were derailed shortly after four o’clock this afternoon when passing near the same place between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay at which the derailment of the New Plymouth express occurred last evening. The line was again blocked to traffic. There were only two or three passengers on the train, and no one was injured. Transhipment arrangements were made for passengers on the derailed train, and subsequent trains. The Limited express for Auckland was dispatched via the Wairarapa from Lambton station at 8.27 p.m. It is thought the derailment was due to loose material from the hillside falling as the train passed, as the engine was not derailed. Due to delays, racehorses of Mr. A. T). Webster, of Otaki, missed the connection with the Maheno for Sydney. VIA WAIRARAPA LIMITED’S LONG JOURNEY ! DISAPPOINTED RACEGOERS The Limited did not reach Auckland | until this afternoon. } When the main line was blocked in the Wellington section the express had to be dispatched via the W'airarapa, as 1 she was yesterday. This adds about i five hours to the trip. j Many racegoers who expected to reach Auckland early this morning in time for the trotting meeting were disappointed. as were others who had expected to join the Limited at Frankton Junction. It was expected that the line would be clear by this afternoon.