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Mon 26 Mar 1906 - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)
Page 7 - ABNORMAL RAINFALL.
ABNORMAL RAINFALL.
WASHAWAY AT GLENBROOK.
RAILWAY TRAFFIC BLOCKED.
Tho storm on Saturday at Glenbrook, as
described by a Sydney visitor, was one of the
worst he had over experienced Huge trees were
bent and snapped by tho force of the wind,
and the trunks of those standing were
spotted by hugo hailstones, and leaves and
branches were cut into little pieces The
thunder, lightning, and wind were appalling.
Water rushed down gullies and crevices in
large volumes, and the din will not soon bo
forgotton
Just as the storm was at its highest a resi-
dent of Lucasvillc, Mr Skarratt, knowing a
goods traln from Penrith was about due,
rushed down the mountain side and warned
tho driver he was close to a tenrible wash-
away almost at the mouth of tho tunnel The
force of the storm was marvellous Whole
lengths of rails, with sleepers attached, from
a refuge siding were carried across tho main
line and landed on a fence, whilst other por
tions were standing upright. Altogether there
were ten chains of the permanent way washed
to a depth of 3ft, and thousands of tons of
debris were scattered Later on, the goods
train returned to Emu Plains Mr Skarratt
Informed tho Glenbrook Stationmaster, and
later the fireman of the goods train, who for-
warded all particulars to Penrith A train
loaded with ashes, ete was made up at Pen-
rith, and about 8 o'clock Inspector Dews
(permanent way), Inspector Pearce (trafile),
with a gang of men, proceeded to tho scene
It was not long nftoi that Information
reached Penrith of the extent of th trouble,
which showed clearly nothing could bo dono to
open up traffic agaln until daylight. By this
time the returned tourist train, which is
timed to reach Penrlth at 8 o'clock, was
standing at Springwood waiting instructions
how to proceed. It was broken up, and some
of the passengers were taken back to Mount
Victoria, the others being provided with ac-
commodation at the hotels and in the railway
carriages, which were kept lighted. Penrith
station was a busy place from 7.16 p.m. until
Sunday morning. The train was delayed, and
later on tho passengers had the option of re-
turning to Sydney or remaining in the car-
riages until the road was put in order, the
refreshment-room being availed of to supply
those remaining with refreshments. Many
of the Springwood and Glenbrook passengers.
hired coaches, and were driven home, whilst
others got accommodation at the hotels.
About half of the passengers went back to
Sydnoy. The various officers, including the
district inspector, Mr. Culnane (traffic), Mr. A.
Lovett (Stationmaster), Mr. Giles (night
S.M.), did splendid work. Tho passengers
were generally good humoured.
Good work was meanwhile being done at
the scene of the washaway, and at 2 a.m. on
Sunday Mr. P. Roberts (permanent way In-
spector) arrived by special train trom Sydney
with 5O additional men, and at once proceeded
to the washaway. At 6 o'clock the road was
pronounced in order, and the first mall train
for Sydney passed through. Then followed the
others. Beside the delay to the passengers
and the expense to the department, there
was no other damage. Tho two mall trains
for Sydney were delayed at Mount Victoria for
about two hours, where tho passengers were
supplied with refreshments. Mr. Simpson,
engineer, arrived at Glenbrook yesterday
morning. Mr. Culnane had been on duty al-
most continuously till midday yesterday.
There was an enormous amount of business
done at the railway telegraph office. A special
train brought the permanent way men back
yesterday afternoon, the road having been
put in thorough order.