Fire delays train

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 32, 31 January 1984, Page 1

Fire delays train

Two appliances from the Ohakune Fire Brigade were called out to the northbound Silver Fern at Ohakune railway station recently in response to a call from station staff. Smoke was seen billowing from under the diesel engined locomotive. Prompt action by staff on board the train using a dry powder fire extinguisher soon had the blaze under control. By the time the local brigade arrived a few

minutes later all they had to do was check the cause of the fire and make sure it wouldn't recur. The cause of the fire was the accidental igniting — possibly by a spark from the brake shoes — of flammable rubbish and other material that had accumulated on top of the gearbox, according to fire chief Max Martin. The 4-car train was delayed briefly but not damaged and was able to proceed to Auckland.