Residents blame rail operator
Bob Pointer’s garage is cracking up and he thinks the rumbling trains across the street are to blame.
Pointer is among several north Waikato residents who say cracks in walls or windows have been caused by trains that – up until recently – were causing their houses to vibrate.
But a KiwiRail boss said although it had discovered a problem with a section of the line, there were multiple other factors that could cause damage to properties.
Bob and wife Trish have resided on Great South Rd, north of Huntly township, for about 12 months.
For the three or four months up till March, the trains were getting faster as they left Huntly and causing their house to shake, Trish said. Pot plants and mirrors trembled as the trains passed – even stirring residents awake, Bob said.
‘‘At 3 o’clock in the morning, that was the one that shook the whole house,’’ Trish added.
Bob noticed the train wagons undulating on the line, pointing to a problem with the track.
Last month, KiwiRail did work on the line that largely stopped the shaking, the Pointers say, but they believe the past few months of vibrations caused, or worsened, multiple cracks in the walls of their house. There are several in the garage, including one 1.5-metres long. ‘‘That crack wasn’t there before but after the shaking, it was.’’
They don’t have proof but think there is a link between the trains and the cracks. Their insurance won’t cover the damage. ‘‘I would have noticed these when I moved in about 12 months ago. We had a building inspection and nothing came up then,’’ Bob said.
Claudine and Kayla McFarland, who have lived on Great South Rd for about 12 years, have also noticed cracks that they think have worsened due to trains.
Neighbour Cameron Freeson has been at his house about eight years.
He believed cracks in his windows and pavement were caused by the same issue. ‘‘None of the cracks were here before I got here and I have noticed the trains are going through a lot faster.’’
The Pointers have contacted KiwiRail three times since December last year – including writing a letter signed by residents in January – but they did not receive any response.
Once the Waikato Times contacted KiwiRail, it got in touch with the couple soon after. Its staff have now looked at their garage.
But KiwiRail executive general manager of operations Siva Sivapakkiam said several factors could cause cracks, including ground conditions. ‘‘If rail corridor neighbours have ongoing concerns about damage . . . they may wish to consider arranging a comprehensive engineering assessment to determine its root cause or raise the issue with their insurer.’’
Without proof that track or rail conditions had directly caused damage, KiwiRail would not undertake any further ‘‘assessment’’.
An issue with the line at Great South Rd was noted in February. ‘‘The rail had a dropped weld, which creates a dip in the top of the rail, making the surface less even for trains.’’
That section of the line was replaced on April 1.