MACEDON SMASH

Commissioners' Order Produced

HIGHLY IMPROPER SAYS CORONER

"Injustice to Driver"

When the inquiry into the Macedon railway smash on February 4, which resulted in the death of Guard Edward Thomas Evans, was resumed at the Morgue today, the following important special notice, issued by the Railways Commissioners, was produced:—

In connection with the running of the 8.15 p.m. northern "down" goods train on February 3 (portion of which train collided with the 7.30 p.m. "down" between Gisborne and Macedon) it has been stated that after certain stoppages of the train on the journey between Spencer street and Gisborne the train was re-started without the guard giving any signal, and without any exchange of signals between the guard and fireman on the train in disregard of the requirements of Regulations 194 (h) and 194 (l).

The Commissioners repeat the instruction set out on page 12 of the General Appendix.

“Every regulation is based upon an established principle of safe working, and is laid down as the means for avoiding a repetition of some known accident, and if any employee wilfully ignores any such instruction or permits it to be ignored, he courts a recurrence of the conditions that the instruction was designed to prevent."

The Commissioners call the attention of all concerned to see that the regulations are fully observed and emphasise the fact that any disregard of Regulations by those responsible will be dealt with drastically.

Dr. Cole (the Coroner): To me it seems to be an injustice to the driver of the train that a statement like this should be published while the case Is in the hands of the police.  I think it is a highly improper proceeding on the part of the Commissioners.

Inspector J. McCormack appeared to conduct the inquiry: Mr Scott Murphy (instructed by the Crown Solicitor) for the Railway Commissioner; Mr A. W. Foster (instructed by Messrs Loughrey and Douglas) for the Victorian Branch of the Australian Railways Union; Mr E. J. Corr, for the drivers and firemen concerned; and Mr W. H. Jones for the relatives of Edward Thomas Evans.

Saw Something Wrong

George Kellam, engine driver, Park street, Port Melbourne, who was in charge of the goods train from Melbourne to Woodend, said that his train was detained at Brookland, just outside Sunshine, and at Riddell, Lancefield Junction and Digger's Rest.  Near Macedon, at the 42-mile post, he noticed something wrong, and saw a red light not far away. A few seconds later the trucks, which had broken away from the preceding, train, crashed into his engine. At the time he was travelling about eight miles an hour. The trucks were travelling on the wrong line.

“I examined my train," witness continued, "and found that several of the trucks were badly damaged. The train broke in two. The line was in good order where the trucks struck us."

In reply to Mr Murphy witness said he was driving an A2 engine, the Westinghouse brake of which was in good order and condition.

Mr Murphy: Did you hear any detonators before the collision took place?

Witness: No.

To Mr Foster: He could not estimate from the force and result of the impact the speed at which the trucks were travelling.

Was your engine running all right?

Yes: it was steaming well.

Is it a fact that a man in the department is likely to lose, a day's pay through not taking the engine allotted to him? —  It has not occurred to me. I could not say whether that is the case or not.

Continued on Page 5.

MACEDON SMASH

(Continued from Page 1)

Only One Breakaway

In reply to Mr Jones, witness considered that a double-headed train required more care to handle than an ordinary one. It would be necessary to handle the brakes well on a double-headed train on the Macedon line.

Mr Jones: Have you ever had any breakaways? They are rather frequent, are they not?

Witness: I have only had one. I think the coupling jumped off on that occasion while coming down a steep hill near Seymour.

To Inspector McCormack: If I had been running on time, I would have been all right, and in front of the 8.15 p.m. from Melbourne. I left late, however, and was behind it. The smash occurred about 1.50 in the morning.

Guard J. T. Holbery stated that stalling was a frequent occurrence on the Glenorchy line.

Mr. Foster: Do you know if any of the men have objected to double-headed trains?

Witness: I believe they have, but I have never heard the complaints laid.

Screw Couplings Safer

Holbery went on to say that screw couplings were more desirable than the three-link couplings. In the interests of safety it would be desirable to have screw couplings, though it would take longer to work them.

Mr. Foster: Could you say if Evans attempted to put on the hand brakes?

Witness: No. He may have done so. From where his body was found it would be quite possible.

Lawrence Kenneally, of Albert place, Yarraville, said his work was to make a general examination of the running near, drawbars, wheel-boxes, brakes, and nuts. He considered the train was in perfect order. He tested the trucks for 20 minutes and was certain there was no leak in the pipe of the Westinghouse brake when it was examined.

Robert Logan Grant and Benjamin Beavis who examined the train when it arrived at Woodend after the trucks had broken away, deposed that it was in good order. The couplings and drawbar on the last truck and the Westinghouse brake were all right. The hose connections, cocks, and wheel boxes were also correct. There was no sign of any excessive strain or breaks-away revealed by the last truck. At 4.30 p.m. the inquiry was adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow.