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AddBy: Laura Mills14th Jan 2022 4:26PMGlad I wasn't working that Railcar, I worked with Vulcan s& Twin sets a lot.
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Otira runaway train
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DescriptionMax Wilson ( driver) had the brakes fail climbing up the 1 in 33 grade thru the tunnel. It started gathering speed as it rolled backwards out of the tunnel. Kevin O'Keefe ( shift clerk) noticed the lights on his diagram of the line, heard the horn blaring and quickly knew what was happening and he switched the points which sent them into a runaway siding. It ploughed through the large earth stop bank and the one car dropped about 40 feet down the embankment. Only one passenger was injuredDate of Photo1957Map[1] ContributorBrian Hope
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Date Created29th October 2021CommentsGlenn Johnston
My father was a passenger on that railcar. I've seen a similar family photo of the railcar in that position. (my sister may still have the photo?)
Diane Keenan
I can remember this accident,just not quite sure of the year.
Bruce Keddie
Don't understand what "Had the brakes" means? Especially as he was "Climbing up the 1 in 33 grade". He wouldn't need the brakes if he was heading up-hill?
Elizabeth Reid
Bruce Keddie Max had a problem with the gears. After he stopped fir the third time in an attempt to ovetcome the problem, the brakes failed
Colin Sweeney
Bruce Keddie travelling uphill on a 1 in 33 grade with two Vulcan railcars coupled together and got bad wheelslip and gear problems and run out of air therefore loosing the brakes and drifted back to Otira at speeds between 65-100kmph estimated
George Samuel
1957
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Im told the grade is 1 in 16 not as above by a railwayman buff of the past.
Richard Howe
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands 1 in 33 is in the official book on accidents. If it were 1 in 16, it would be almost as steep as the old Rimutaka grade, ( 1 in 15 )and would need something like a fell system to work it.
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Richard Howe ooops. My friend has now decided that you are right. Won’t listen to him again before checking.
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Richard Howe yep, won’t listen to him again. Loves his railway and has worked here on the coast for many many years.
Alan Pegley
Richard Howe All the data I have read 1 in 33 is correct
Elizabeth Reid
Heather Newby 24th April 1957. Otira tunnel
· Reply ·
· 4m
Viv Hitchcock
Tunnel? Which one was that? Amazing that there was not more injured .. well done to Max . Unsung hero
Deb Corich
So cool that some possible disasters are anticipated,and an alternative built in!
Alan Pegley
I'm writing a book and I'm doing a chapter on this accident. 23 April 1957 Tuesday after Easter. I was a passenger on one unit. It was a double unit Vulcan railcar with about 100 passengers. A good proportion of the passengers were students returning to boarding schools in chch.
Beverley Walsh
My husband Jim Walsh was a passenger on this railcar. It was quite an experience he says.
Niaouli Wolf
Peter Lambert Brent O’keefes Dad was on duty at Otira Station that night. He had to make the decision where the runaway railcar would go. Up into the shunting yards or down the line to Aikens.
Lois Wotton
My brother Ron was a passenger, returning to teachers training college inChCh.
Brent OKeefe
Kevin (Dad) had a panel in the office which, showed the progression of trains through the tunnel, via a series of lights. Dad told me that he saw that the lights had stopped and for some reason it looked as if train was coming back towards Otira, he either looked outside or went outside and saw the train coming back through the station ‘at speed’. He then diverted the train into the siding. There was an investigation into the accident, whether those records remain, I’m not sure.
Richard Howe
Brent OKeefe Lucky that Kevin was "on the ball " as if he hadn't been in the station, and saw the panel, it could have been a different story. He acted with great prescence of mind.
Brent OKeefe
Richard Howe thanks Richard, that’s right the train would have gathered momentum and derailed at a corner further down the track.
Niaouli Wolf
The guard on that railcar climbed out from one unit to the other to try and slow it down, this was while it was careering through the tunnel. It was a Sunday evening and my mother and I had been to a service at the church and drove back around to our place just before the crash. A lucky escape!
Richard Howe
Niaouli Wolf Actually it was the driver, Max Wilson that climbed from one car to the other while the Guard, Mick Fahey held on to his legs as he swung across.
Niaouli Wolf
Richard Howe thanks I was 9 at the time. My parents were Alan and Dorothea Dean who ran the general store which is sadly no more.
Bruce Keddie
What happened to the Vulcan in the photo afterwards ? There appears to be a bit of a bend in it! Was it repaired or scrapped?
Stephen Wright
To answer Bruce's question, I've spoken to Richard Legge who is an authority on Vulcan railcars. He said that RM 58 was rebuilt - obviously a big job. This railcar had an interesting history. It was the last of the Vulcans to arrive in New Zealand, being unloaded in Wellington in February or March 1942 after a rough journey in dangerous wartime conditions. In fact, there was so much damage that it wasn't ready for service until September 1942 and it always bore the scars of that sea voyage. Not only did it bear the brunt of the 1957 Otira accident, but later on it was involved in a serious level crossing accident near Blenheim (railcar vs truck) that killed the relief driver. It was deemed uneconomic to repair and was withdrawn. A funny little story attached to this is that when it was scrapped, someone acquired the railcar's horn but had to sign an indemnity form with NZR that he wouldn't annoy the neighbours!! (Not sure how he was supposed to get the air pressure to do that!)Stephen Wright
Have posted this on the movie clip of the runaway but have included it here so that it goes on record. Thanks to Railways Department memos (via Richard Legge) and the memories of Alan Pegley who was in RM50 (the leading car going into the tunnel), it's now clear that the driver (Max Wilson) was in charge of RM50 while the guard (Michael Fahey) was in charge of RM58. Alan, who was in the compartment closest to RM58, recalls what had to be the driver coming through RM50 and ordering everyone on the floor. The majority were school kids in the 12 to 15 age bracket, and he remembers all the passengers in his visual range lying on the floor. It was a different situation in RM58, as confirmed by Russell King. Joan Orchard, who was another passenger in RM58, similarly remembers sitting on a seat, holding onto the curtain. A Railways memo confirms that the guard warned passengers to hold on tight. There is no evidence that the guard held the driver's feet while he bravely crossed from RM50 into RM58 (as reported in a newspaper account), and years later, Max Wilson told author Roy Sinclair that no such thing had happened. There were two runaway sidings in Otira: one near the school (No. 12) and the other past the station (No. 7). It was a big relief to the guard when they were not diverted onto the siding near the school as that would have most likely had disastrous results.
Caroline Dunlop
I remember that happening.
Lorraine Hensley
My father , mother and sister (3 weeks old). We’re on this . Dad was transferred buy the railway to Christchurch from Greymouth . I was waiting for them at ChCh station. Dad lay on the floor with my sister in her bassinet and people on the train put their pillows on top of the bassinet. (Cliff, Coral Robertson & Wendy)
Kathy Duthie
lived in otira at this time
Richard Howe
Joy Meyer Was 1957 Joy.
Richard Howe
Arlene Hutcheon 23 April 1957
Glenn Johnston
My Dad was on that railcar.
Kath Rogers
My sister was on the train when it happened
Lorraine Hensley
Last I heard . No sand in brake box. I’m sure someone will be able to give an update to this.
Murray Saunders
One job Lorraine Hensley
Howard Croucher
Lorraine Hensley my Dad Max Wilson was the driver of this Runaway Vulcan and was caused by poor maintenance (Geraldine née Wilson)
Richard Howe
Howard Croucher Although Max had gearbox problems, you are right about the maintenance. The brakes were not up to scratch, and this was the outcome i believe. Too much time being put into the newer railcars, and not enough on the Vulcans. Max risked his life to try and stop those cars, to no avail.
David Perry
I believe my old Customs mate Gordon Barrow was on this car when it ran backwards down the Otira Tunnel.Don Spicer
The Late Max Wilson was the Driver. He made a Heroic decision to swing from the lead car to the trailing car in the tunnel to apply the hand brakes and slow the cars down, to prevent any casualty's. the cars lost air pressure apparently.
Bob Broadhurst
Old Max was a good likeable Asst. Supervisor when i knew him, when i started the job Don · Reply · 2d
Christina Mitchell
Margaret Paton
Lorraine O'Donoghue
I have this photo that I took without so many people in it tucked awY somewhere.
My father was a passenger on that railcar. I've seen a similar family photo of the railcar in that position. (my sister may still have the photo?)
Diane Keenan
I can remember this accident,just not quite sure of the year.
Bruce Keddie
Don't understand what "Had the brakes" means? Especially as he was "Climbing up the 1 in 33 grade". He wouldn't need the brakes if he was heading up-hill?
Elizabeth Reid
Bruce Keddie Max had a problem with the gears. After he stopped fir the third time in an attempt to ovetcome the problem, the brakes failed
Colin Sweeney
Bruce Keddie travelling uphill on a 1 in 33 grade with two Vulcan railcars coupled together and got bad wheelslip and gear problems and run out of air therefore loosing the brakes and drifted back to Otira at speeds between 65-100kmph estimated
George Samuel
1957
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Im told the grade is 1 in 16 not as above by a railwayman buff of the past.
Richard Howe
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands 1 in 33 is in the official book on accidents. If it were 1 in 16, it would be almost as steep as the old Rimutaka grade, ( 1 in 15 )and would need something like a fell system to work it.
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Richard Howe ooops. My friend has now decided that you are right. Won’t listen to him again before checking.
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Richard Howe yep, won’t listen to him again. Loves his railway and has worked here on the coast for many many years.
Alan Pegley
Richard Howe All the data I have read 1 in 33 is correct
Elizabeth Reid
Heather Newby 24th April 1957. Otira tunnel
· Reply ·
· 4m
Viv Hitchcock
Tunnel? Which one was that? Amazing that there was not more injured .. well done to Max . Unsung hero
Deb Corich
So cool that some possible disasters are anticipated,and an alternative built in!
Alan Pegley
I'm writing a book and I'm doing a chapter on this accident. 23 April 1957 Tuesday after Easter. I was a passenger on one unit. It was a double unit Vulcan railcar with about 100 passengers. A good proportion of the passengers were students returning to boarding schools in chch.
Beverley Walsh
My husband Jim Walsh was a passenger on this railcar. It was quite an experience he says.
Niaouli Wolf
Peter Lambert Brent O’keefes Dad was on duty at Otira Station that night. He had to make the decision where the runaway railcar would go. Up into the shunting yards or down the line to Aikens.
Lois Wotton
My brother Ron was a passenger, returning to teachers training college inChCh.
Brent OKeefe
Kevin (Dad) had a panel in the office which, showed the progression of trains through the tunnel, via a series of lights. Dad told me that he saw that the lights had stopped and for some reason it looked as if train was coming back towards Otira, he either looked outside or went outside and saw the train coming back through the station ‘at speed’. He then diverted the train into the siding. There was an investigation into the accident, whether those records remain, I’m not sure.
Richard Howe
Brent OKeefe Lucky that Kevin was "on the ball " as if he hadn't been in the station, and saw the panel, it could have been a different story. He acted with great prescence of mind.
Brent OKeefe
Richard Howe thanks Richard, that’s right the train would have gathered momentum and derailed at a corner further down the track.
Niaouli Wolf
The guard on that railcar climbed out from one unit to the other to try and slow it down, this was while it was careering through the tunnel. It was a Sunday evening and my mother and I had been to a service at the church and drove back around to our place just before the crash. A lucky escape!
Richard Howe
Niaouli Wolf Actually it was the driver, Max Wilson that climbed from one car to the other while the Guard, Mick Fahey held on to his legs as he swung across.
Niaouli Wolf
Richard Howe thanks I was 9 at the time. My parents were Alan and Dorothea Dean who ran the general store which is sadly no more.
Bruce Keddie
What happened to the Vulcan in the photo afterwards ? There appears to be a bit of a bend in it! Was it repaired or scrapped?
Stephen Wright
To answer Bruce's question, I've spoken to Richard Legge who is an authority on Vulcan railcars. He said that RM 58 was rebuilt - obviously a big job. This railcar had an interesting history. It was the last of the Vulcans to arrive in New Zealand, being unloaded in Wellington in February or March 1942 after a rough journey in dangerous wartime conditions. In fact, there was so much damage that it wasn't ready for service until September 1942 and it always bore the scars of that sea voyage. Not only did it bear the brunt of the 1957 Otira accident, but later on it was involved in a serious level crossing accident near Blenheim (railcar vs truck) that killed the relief driver. It was deemed uneconomic to repair and was withdrawn. A funny little story attached to this is that when it was scrapped, someone acquired the railcar's horn but had to sign an indemnity form with NZR that he wouldn't annoy the neighbours!! (Not sure how he was supposed to get the air pressure to do that!)Stephen Wright
Have posted this on the movie clip of the runaway but have included it here so that it goes on record. Thanks to Railways Department memos (via Richard Legge) and the memories of Alan Pegley who was in RM50 (the leading car going into the tunnel), it's now clear that the driver (Max Wilson) was in charge of RM50 while the guard (Michael Fahey) was in charge of RM58. Alan, who was in the compartment closest to RM58, recalls what had to be the driver coming through RM50 and ordering everyone on the floor. The majority were school kids in the 12 to 15 age bracket, and he remembers all the passengers in his visual range lying on the floor. It was a different situation in RM58, as confirmed by Russell King. Joan Orchard, who was another passenger in RM58, similarly remembers sitting on a seat, holding onto the curtain. A Railways memo confirms that the guard warned passengers to hold on tight. There is no evidence that the guard held the driver's feet while he bravely crossed from RM50 into RM58 (as reported in a newspaper account), and years later, Max Wilson told author Roy Sinclair that no such thing had happened. There were two runaway sidings in Otira: one near the school (No. 12) and the other past the station (No. 7). It was a big relief to the guard when they were not diverted onto the siding near the school as that would have most likely had disastrous results.
Caroline Dunlop
I remember that happening.
Lorraine Hensley
My father , mother and sister (3 weeks old). We’re on this . Dad was transferred buy the railway to Christchurch from Greymouth . I was waiting for them at ChCh station. Dad lay on the floor with my sister in her bassinet and people on the train put their pillows on top of the bassinet. (Cliff, Coral Robertson & Wendy)
Kathy Duthie
lived in otira at this time
Richard Howe
Joy Meyer Was 1957 Joy.
Richard Howe
Arlene Hutcheon 23 April 1957
Glenn Johnston
My Dad was on that railcar.
Kath Rogers
My sister was on the train when it happened
Lorraine Hensley
Last I heard . No sand in brake box. I’m sure someone will be able to give an update to this.
Murray Saunders
One job Lorraine Hensley
Howard Croucher
Lorraine Hensley my Dad Max Wilson was the driver of this Runaway Vulcan and was caused by poor maintenance (Geraldine née Wilson)
Richard Howe
Howard Croucher Although Max had gearbox problems, you are right about the maintenance. The brakes were not up to scratch, and this was the outcome i believe. Too much time being put into the newer railcars, and not enough on the Vulcans. Max risked his life to try and stop those cars, to no avail.
David Perry
I believe my old Customs mate Gordon Barrow was on this car when it ran backwards down the Otira Tunnel.Don Spicer
The Late Max Wilson was the Driver. He made a Heroic decision to swing from the lead car to the trailing car in the tunnel to apply the hand brakes and slow the cars down, to prevent any casualty's. the cars lost air pressure apparently.
Bob Broadhurst
Old Max was a good likeable Asst. Supervisor when i knew him, when i started the job Don · Reply · 2d
Christina Mitchell
Margaret Paton
Lorraine O'Donoghue
I have this photo that I took without so many people in it tucked awY somewhere.
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West Coast New Zealand History (17th Jan 2022). Otira runaway train. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 7th Apr 2026 04:20, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/30543