A RUNAWAY TRAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1917, Page 2

A RUNAWAY TRAIN

: EXCITING EXPERIENCE The passengers on the train from f.ic north which usually arrives in Maaterton at 10 p.m. had a sensational experience on Saturday evening When the train arrived at Mangamaire the engine was uncoupled to do some shunting. It is stated that by'.an unfortunate oversight the the brakes were not applied to the carriages, with the result that the train commenced to move down the incline towards J&hiatim. .Fortunately when the train dashed past Pahiatua the points were open. In the meantime the guard on' the runaway train appears, to have been unaware that anything was wrong. Ft is understood that he was under the impression that the train waß backing towards Pahiatua, as the tablet had been forgotten, and lie was.on the look out towards, Pahiatua 'or a trolley to appear with.'.'the' missing tablet 'When {he train dashed past the Pahiatua station he realised something was wrong. He investigated, and quickly realised the- true position. He at once applied' the brakes 'and brought the train, to,a standstill after some six miles bad.been covered. " TJte efforts, of the railway men to cateh the runaway are deserving of credit, and. ..provided great excitement for those participating. When the. train "bolted from Mangamaire an engine was set in motion and had nearly caught the runaway when ,the latter came to a standstill as the result of the guard putting on the brakes. The delayed train eventually readied Maaterton at.ll .'3O p.m.