Message #92358

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Freight train hits landslide in Manawatu Gorge

NZPA | 8:11AM - Saturday, 25 September 2010











STOPPED: The aftermath of a freight train hitting a landslip in the Manawatu Gorge.

RAIL SERVICES through the Manawatu Gorge have been suspended after a freight train carrying milk hit a landslide early today.

The train, which was heading for Taranaki, hit a slip on the eastern side of the Manawatu Gorge about 5am, police central communications spokesman Inspector Marty Parker said.

There were no injuries and the slip was not blocking the road, he said.

OnTrack spokeswoman Jenni Austin said the milk tankers stayed upright and no milk was spilt.

"It's hit quite a massive slip in the gorge ... the first step is to move the wagons back and away so we can then begin recovering the locomotive," she said.

A crane was being brought in to move the locomotive but it was not clear how long it would take to clear the track, she said.

The line would remain closed until the track was clear.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4167759/Freight-train-hits-landslide-in-Manawatu-Gorge


Manawatu Gorge rail slip cleanup begins

NZPA | 9:40AM - Sunday, 26 September 2010















SLIP STOP: A freight train carrying milk to Taranaki hit a landslide in the Manawatu Gorge.
 — Photographs: WARWICK SMITH/Manawatu Standard.

KIWIRAIL will today begin to clear a slip that derailed a freight train carrying milk through the Manawatu Gorge.

The train, which was heading for Taranaki, hit a slip on the eastern side of the gorge about 5am yesterday.

KiwiRail spokeswoman Ruth Larson said the milk wagons had been cleared and work trains had be brought in to help shift the dirt.

"The focus today is on starting to clear the slip itself. It's a fairly big job and it's quite difficult access," she said.

"Then we'll be able to focus on rerailing the locomotive."

Ms Larson said the rail line was likely to be closed for several days.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4168821/Manawatu-Gorge-rail-slip-cleanup-begins