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Fri 9 Jan 1903 - Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954)
Page 5 - THE DANGERS OF LAPSTONE TUNNEL.
THE DANGERS OF LAPST0NE
TUNNEL. '
' A RECENT EXPERIENCE.
Tlie experience of ihe passenger train the other
day in tlie Lapstonc tunnel has directed attention to
the fact that it is not a very rare occurrence for
goods trains lo be stuck in the tunnel, and for the
drivers and firemen of such trains to suffer consider
able distress as a result. A representative of this
journal,' in the course of investigations during the
,last few days, lighted oil some very interesting facts.
It seems that the ruling grade from Emn Plains up
to Katoomba is practically 1 in 33, and two engines
are necessary for each train — one as a push-up
engine. It is also necessary to put an extra fireman
on each engine, owing to the great amount ot labour
entailed In "firing up" the whole distance. On a
particular goods trai recently, which had as its
complement about 10 trucks, and was being assisted
by a."-push-up. " engine, tbe rails proved exceedingly
slippery when going through the tunnul, and the
wheels of the front engine whizzed round and round,
refusing to " bite." Sand from the sand-box was
constantly pouring on to the rails, but without the
slightest effect. The hot 'steam exhausted quicker
and quicker, aud tbe heat and smoke blew down in
overwhelming force upon the engine driver and fire
man. The heat and smoke at length became so
unendurable that the driver shut off the regulator,
applied the brakes, and got down off the engine as
quickly as possible, gasping for air, his clothes limp
witli perspiration, and with his mouth dry and
scalded. The firemen were in a similar position ;
all were for (ho time being in a state of collapse.
The regulator having been shut off, and the exhaust
" of steam ceasing, the condition of the air improved
within a very few minutes ; but while it lasted, tlie
heat and fumes, together with the smoke and hot
steam, proved almost beyond endurance. The
stoppage caused five or seven minutes' delay.
We have heard it remarked that this is not the
first time by any means that trains have been stuck
up in the Lapstone, and instances have beon given
of cases where tbe drivers and firemen suffered
similarly. One. gentleman was heard to remark,
" The Lapstone tunnel is dangerous, alright, and the
Commissioners know it. But a man .would get the
sack if he was heard saying that." We do not be-
lieve the Commissioners would take such an extreme
coursc simply because a man. expressed an opinion.
Enough has hasbeen said, however, to prove the
dangerous character of the Lapstonc tunnel, and the
urgent need for a deviation on improved lines. If
this" is- hot done, the public may, unhappily, be
aroused to the urgency of the case by some disaster
as tho result of the bad ventilation of the tunnel.
HOCKLEY, Thursday;
Tbe usual monthly court was held yesterday, but
there -wns no business of public importance.
The weather continues fine and clear.,
BATHURST, Wednesday.
There pnsscd away on Sunday an interesting per
sonality, Mrs. Mcdcalf, known to very old residents
of the district as " Little Mary." Slie wns 80 yours
old, and bad spent 00 years of this time in tlie wes
tern district. -