SLIP ON MAIN TRUNK.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3513, 26 June 1920, Page 4

SLIP ON MAIN TRUNK.

GOODS TRAIN DERAILED AT HIHITAHI. The goods train which left Taihape at 5.45 last night ran into a slip at the ectting near Hihitahi, and the engine was derailed. The Auckland-bound express left Taihape at .the usual time, but as the block had not been cleared away, was brought back to Taihape before midnight last a3gii. The ear press from Auckland (to "Wellington this morning w r as detained, at Ohakune until the line was opened. Gangs of men were sent out to Hihitahi as soon as word was received of the derailment of the- goods train., and were engaged all night replacing the engine and clearing away the slip. The delayed Auckland express train left Taihape for Auckland at 9.30 this morning, and expected to get through. MAIL TRAINS GET THROUGH. GOODS TRAFFIC CANCELLED. /: .■ ■ - 1 <■&s■* Our Mataroa correspondent telephoned us at 1.30 this afternoon: The slip on the line occurred about a mile from Gardner's Siding in a Jeep cutting. The 5.50 p.m. train last night ran into the slip, the engine being partially buried. The impact of the landslip corkscrewed the line, and four waggons next the carriages were derailed. The works train came out last night, and after some trouble drew the' goods train out of the difficulty. Theengine of .the goods train was practically uninjured, and returned to Taihape under its own steam. The northward bound express came out to Mataroa last night, and waited until 11.15 p.m., when, finding there was no thanee of getting through returned to Taihape. . The passengers' requirements in the way of refreshments were amply met by the railway refreshment. room during the weary wait. .

The north mail train which left Taihape at i).30 this morning got through a, few minutes after noon to-day. and the south-bound express passed through Mataroa shortly after 1 o'clock. It is* fortunate that the slip did not come down after the goods train had passed, otherwise the mail train (which was? the next train) might have dashed into the obstruction with serious result, T understand all goods traffic has been suspended, as although the rails nre ele: ". the obstruction is not comnletely removed, nor will be for a. ' day or two. NORTHWARD BOUND TRAIN TEN HOURS LATE. AUCKLAND. This Day. Owing to a landslip on the Main Trunk at Hihitahi and the derailment; '>f a goods engine, the Wellington express will arrive in Auckland late this *«ftprnoon—ten hours late. >