SHUNTING MISHAP.

Wairarapa Age, 7 March 1927, Page 4

SHUNTING MISHAP.

IN MASTERTON STATION YARD. ROLLING STOCK DAMAGED. There was a press of extra traffic at the Masterton railway station on Saturday on account of the special trains which brought school children from both north and south to attend the civic welcome tendered to the Duke and Duchess of York. Unfortunately a mishap occurred to an empty train which was being shunted on to another line. This resulted in the disorganisation of the programme for the Royal % visit so; far as the point of detraining was concerned.

A special train of thirteen coaches, which brought the children from tho south, had just discharged its load and was being shunted back on to another line to couple up with some standing wagons. These had been left with the brakes hard on, and as the backing train came on to them with some force, the impact caused the derailment of the last coach, while the third coach from the engine was telescoped. Tho mishap left both the main and second lines blocked, and in tho absence of Suitable breakdown gear, the task of clearing the line in time to give passage to the train which was piloting the Royal party was a heavy one. All available men were rushed to the scene and they succeeded in clearing the line about forty minutes before tho Royal train was duo to arrive. Arrangements had then been made, however, for the Duke and Duchess to alight at Opaki where they were met by the fleet of cars. The Royal train was brought on to Masterton, where their Royal Highnesses joined it later en route to Wellington.

Fortunately no passengers were aboard the train at the time of the mishap, and no one was injured.