The Rimutaka incline railway line suffered from strong cross winds. On two occasions passenger trains were derailed by them. The first in 1880 resulting in four deaths, and the second in 1936 resulting in only injuries.

1880 Fell Engine accident

The first accident occurred on 11 September 1880 when the leading three carriages on a Greytown to Wellington train were blown off the track in strong winds near the Siberia tunnel; killing four passengers. The Rimutaka Incline section of the line over the

Rimutaka Ranges The Remutaka Range (spelled Rimutaka Range before 2017) is the southernmost range of a mountain chain in the lower North Island of New Zealand. The chain continues north into the Tararua, then Ruahine Ranges, running parallel with the east ...

between

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...

and the Wairarapa used the Fell system on the steep 1 in 15 section which was long. A small train left Greytown at 8.30am bound for

. At Cross Creek, at the foot of the Rimutaka Ranges, an

NZR H class The NZR H class steam locomotive was a unique class of Fell locomotive used by New Zealand Railways (NZR) on the Rimutaka Incline, the section of 1 in 15 (6.67 %) gradient between Cross Creek and Summit, over the Rimutaka Ranges. Introductio ...

Fell locomotive, H201, was added to the train to push it up the steep 1 in 15 ascent to the summit of the Rimutaka Incline. At Cross Creek the two passenger cars and the luggage carriage were put in front of the engine. Then behind this were two wagons of timber and lastly the Fell brake van. All went well until the train reached an area of the incline known as Siberia. A strong north-west wind was blowing across the track. A terrific gust hit the three leading carriages, which were blown off the railway line. The body of the first carriage was torn from its mountings and the passengers were thrown onto the hillside, although the couplings held. The weight of the engine prevented the carriages from falling into the valley below, and the grip of the engine on the raised centre-rail saved the whole train from destruction and more loss of life. The engine and brake van also had brakes which gripped the raised centre rail. The rear brakesman uncoupled his van and piloted the van down the incline to Cross Creek to get help. Three children were killed instantly and there were many injuries, some horrific. One of the injured, Stanley George Nicholas aged 5 years, died later from injuries received. The inquest found that the deaths were accidental, caused by the carriages being blown off the line, and no blame was attached to anyone. Action was urged to erect windshelters on dangerous parts of the incline, and this was done. When the wind was fierce, two engines were used on the incline.

1936 RM class Railcar accident

On 8 October 1936 a 16-ton railcar ( RM6 ''Mamari'') travelling south on the Wairarapa line was blown off the track by a gust estimated at 128 km/h (80 mph). Eight of the 24 passengers, seven of whom were women, were injured. The accident happened between

Featherston Featherston is a surname of English origin, at least as old as the 12th century. The link with "Featherstone" is probably not traceable, but people researching both spellings (and others such as "de Fetherestanhalgh") contribute to the collection o ...

and Pigeon Bush, just before a large wooden windbreak. The railcar was able to be returned to the track and eventually repaired.Blown off line, King Country Chronicle, Volume 30, Iuuse 4905, 8 October 1936, PAGE 5

References

*
''Te Ara Encyclopaedia of New Zealand''

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rimutaka Incline Railway Accident Derailments in New Zealand Railway accidents in 1880 1880 in New Zealand Wairarapa Rail transport in Wellington History of the Wellington Region Railway accidents in 1936 1936 disasters in New Zealand 1880 disasters in New Zealand

1880 Fell Engine accident

1936 RM class Railcar accident

See also

References

External links