EXTRAORDINARY CHASE AFTER A RUNAWAY TRAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2450, 24 March 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXTRAORDINARY CHASE AFTER A RUNAWAY TRAIN.

A RAILWAY accident occurred at Scots Gap Station on the North British railway on the eveninsr of January 7th, causing damage to rolling stock and merchandise, though happily being without injury or loss of life. It appears that a goods train going to Rothbury reached Longwitton about 5.30, when tho guard in charge uncoupled two or three waggons noxt to the engine, and was busy having them flhunted into Longwitton siding. It was then observed that the remaining portion of the train, which consisted of 15 or 1G waggons and a guard's van, was moving backwards down tho main lino, in tho direction of Scots Gap. The rails aro laid on a rather steep gradient, and in a few moments the runaway portion gathered speed ho rapidly that the men in charge wern unable to catch it. The engine quickly followed in pursuit, in the hopo that the train might be overtaken, and again coupled to the engine whilst in motion. Owing to the darkness, this was a risky and difficult matter. After the first two and a half miles had been covered, with no success, the speed attained became very great, and the engine driver slackened his pace, lest the officials at Scots Gap, which was now only half a mile distant, should deal with the runaway portion by throwing it on the rails. In the meantime the station master at Scots Gap had been informed of the mishap by wire, and after a few moments of anxious consideration he decided to turn the train from the main line into a siding. The points had scarcely been arranged when the train dashed through the station into a siding. The noise caused by the collision was terrible, A large number of waggons were broken to pieces, and their contents strewn on the Hue, which was torn up, the main line also being blocked. When the passenger train from Morpeth arrived, the passengers were asked to walk past the wreckage and enter some carriages which were in readiness attached to the goods engine, and sent forward.—Home Newa.