Moving target - the sequel

Good morning Dear Reader's of Komata's Blog. In response to public demand (for which I tank you all), the 'Blog has once again appeared, with the sequel the 'Moving Target' posting - I hope that you won't be disappointed . . .

At our last meeting, you would recall that No.238 Frankton-Auckland goods train had had a spot of bother en route - namely, its Driver had been shot at for no good reason by some anonymous individual while passing through a small unattended station (Te Mahia), and that as OIC of the next 'manned' station I had been the first to know, having met a very shaken Locomotive Driver as he emerged from his cab at high speed.

The matter had been duly reported to Train Control and No.238 had gone on its way - eventually.  At the same time I had advised the local Police of what had occurred, but they were of the opinion that it was unlikely that anything would be found and had basically said, 'don't worry about it' (this was in the 1970's - things would be just a little different now . . .).They would however dispatch a car to the area to see what they could find

Now, at this point, because it may or may not have had an influence on what subsequently happened (you be the judge Dear Reader) a very short geography lesson:  Alongside the the Manurewa station Up-Main line, the section of track that No.238 was sitting on at the time all of what had gone before was occurring, was a large, enclosed sports complex (basketball courts, gymnasia etc), access for which was via a pedestrian footbridge over the railway line.  Of course, no one ever used this bridge and instead walked over the railway tracks - the more direct route was obviously the prefered option.  If there was a stationary train in the way they climbed up between the wagons, standing on the side chains and buffer to reach the other side.  As I said, this may or may not be important - you be the judge.

Now, back to the story (which I assure you is very, very true):

No.238 had just, but only just, cleared the Up Main Starter signal when the 'phone rang:

(A girl's voice): 'You know that train that was just at the station - the goods train?'

(Me); 'Yes' 

(The girl): 'Well there's a Bomb on board - see ya'(Click)

Oh hell!!!!

No way of stopping No.238 to check (No R/T's) (and no real idea about how one DOES check over 100 wagons, 2 locomotives and a Guard's van for a bomb anyway)!

So, back to Train Control to tell him of the latest little twist.

To make it worse of course, while 238 was at the station members of the public certainly HAD crossed between the wagon, so what the caller had said was eminently feasible. 

Another call to the Police (this was becoming a habit), just in case, all the while keeping an ear open 'Just in case' the sound of an explosion should come.

The Police Inspector was polite and attentive, but what could they do really?  Two locomotives, 100 wagons (to say nothing of the contents of said wagons) and the Guard's van were simply too huge an item to even begin to search, so in the end we both decided that the Bomb was a hoax (we hoped) while a car was en route to Te Mahia (the site where it all began) to try and find the rifleman (nothing was ever found!).

No explosions were heard and there were no other shooting incidents at Te Mahia 

However, for a long time afterwards there was a Da-class locomotive  in the Auckland District with a couple of very unique, albeit uncalled for, markings - a small hole 3 inches above the Driver's window, and a 'scrape' of silver  on the red cab roof, slightly above it and to the left - markings acquired in circumstances which could at best be described as 'unusual'.

And with that, Dear Reader's I will close and allow the 'blog to shuffle off to . . .wherever - until next time.  (I hope you haven't been disappointed)

Happy modelling.

Komata

"TVR - serving the Northern Taranaki . . . "