This locomotive appears to have a thing about cattle-beasts. It was the trailing locomotive when I smashed into a herd of about eighty pregnant cows just south of Waingawa in June last year while driving a passenger train hauled by two locomotives. The lead locomotive derailed at speed as about fifteen or so of the cows went underneath and ended up costing about $130,000 to repair the structural damage. The second locomtive was 4156 and it stayed on the tracks and got off pretty lightly, although there were several cows jammed underneath it when the train stopped and the locomotive still smells a bit ripe nine months after the collision in spite of being washed with industrial-grade deodorant on a few occasions since the collision. I guess this latest encounter with a cattle-beast will raise the ripe-odour level somewhat!
Wandering bull runs into path of freight train
By RICHARD WOODD - Taranaki Daily News | Wednesday, 26 March 2008
OFF THE RAILS: The aftermath of the train versus bull incident near Whangamomona. |
A wandering bull has derailed a freight locomotive near Whangamomona and caused severe track damage.
The impact about 1.30am on Friday killed the bull.
It went under the loco which jumped off the line and ripped out 100 track sleepers.
The southbound train was carrying logs when it hit the bull just north of the Marco School.
Because the spot is not accessible by road, a crane was railed in to lift the loco back on track.
Ontrack spokesman Kevin Ramshaw said the track was due to reopen by last night after repairs were completed.
Any north-bound Taranaki rail freight was diverted via Marton junction to the main trunk line.
Phone inquiries yesterday failed to establish who owned the bull and Mr Ramshaw said he doubted even an earmark would have survived the incident.
"The owner would be liable for costs �?if we could find him or her," he said.
The police were not notified.
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