Visit To Taranaki
30th & 31st March 2019.
30th & 31st March 2019.
SRW and WMR&ES joined forces for a visit to the Waitara Railway Preservation Society and the New Plymouth Model Railway Club. The Wanganui based Waitara Rail members headed up on the Saturday (staying the night there) with their Motor Trolleys for recertification of the trolleys and drivers tickets before running them on the line, including a couple of evening runs to Waitara New World, First for something to go with Tea and the second for desert. On the Sunday when the rest of the Wanganui club members arrived we ran the trolleys on the 7km of line between Waitara and Lepperton. (Photos by Jim Bly and Blair Jordan).
We then proceeded onto the New Plymouth model railway club on the way home to view their large layout. They mainly run American trains on this layout but the scenery is based on New Zealand. They call themselves the Central Western (as New Plymouth is in the centre of the north island and on the west side). They have modelled from P Nth to New Plymouth (including some of the smaller Taranaki town’s in between, including Whareroa Dairy Factory) and they run trains to time tables between the 2 main stations, shunting the smaller stations as needed.
This was a fun weekend/day away and a big thank you to the Waitara and New Plymouth groups for hosting us. The Waitara Railway Preservation Society have since told us they would love to have us up there again and the NP Model Railway club have mentioned about doing a return visit to us later on in the year. We must also give a big thank you to KiwiRail who gave us the use of one of their track gang trucks for the weekend to transport our Trolleys. We are all looking forward to our next trip up there.
Waitara Trips
Over late November and early
December SRW members did several trips to the Waitara Group to pick up spare
parts for our Drewery locomotive from a loco that group was scrapping and to
help celebrate the opening of their bridge.
Our first trip was on Saturday November the 22nd. We left Wanganui at 8am and headed up arriving at 10am for smoko. We thank Eileen for the lovely homemade scones. We then sorted out what we wanted and loaded Blair’s ute and trailer with Axel Boxes, Main Bearings (Brasses), Coupling Rods and the Wilson 4 Stage Epicyclic Gearbox. Ewan’s ute carried Couplings, the Loco Compressor and various other pieces. After lunch we worked on the Axel Box Guides and retainer plates. These proved difficult to remove because of their tight fit, but after some hard work by the guys we got one set off. The Final Drive Gearbox was also difficult to undo but after more hard work and applying heat all the nuts and bolts were undone and removed. We also received the Drewery loco manual thanks to Denyse. The only downside for the day was the rain. After a busy day we arrived home approx. 7.30pm.
Ewan and Colin headed back up again on Saturday the 29th of November to work on freeing up the Axel Cranks which we did and these were brought back down to SteamRail.
Our first trip was on Saturday November the 22nd. We left Wanganui at 8am and headed up arriving at 10am for smoko. We thank Eileen for the lovely homemade scones. We then sorted out what we wanted and loaded Blair’s ute and trailer with Axel Boxes, Main Bearings (Brasses), Coupling Rods and the Wilson 4 Stage Epicyclic Gearbox. Ewan’s ute carried Couplings, the Loco Compressor and various other pieces. After lunch we worked on the Axel Box Guides and retainer plates. These proved difficult to remove because of their tight fit, but after some hard work by the guys we got one set off. The Final Drive Gearbox was also difficult to undo but after more hard work and applying heat all the nuts and bolts were undone and removed. We also received the Drewery loco manual thanks to Denyse. The only downside for the day was the rain. After a busy day we arrived home approx. 7.30pm.
Ewan and Colin headed back up again on Saturday the 29th of November to work on freeing up the Axel Cranks which we did and these were brought back down to SteamRail.
On Saturday the 6th
of December Ewan and Colin headed up there again to attend their Bridge opening
celebrations. They arrived at 10am in time for a great morning tea of
sandwiches, savouries and cakes with tea and coffee. At 11.30 we all boarded
the train to go to the bridge for the official opening. Speeches were given by
Denyse Bettridge and by members of the TSB Community Trust and TET. The TSB
Community Trust member then drove the golden last spike into the sleeper. We
then rode on the train to Lepperton and back to Waitara Road and then into
Waitara. After lunch the train was chartered by a group celebrating a birthday
and Colin rode the train to Lepperton and into Waitara and back to Waitara Road
again. We noted on this visit that the Chassis of the loco we had been getting
parts from had gone to the scrap dealer and the 2 sets of Wheels and the Final
Drive Gearbox were now awaiting pickup by SteamRail. We thank Eileen again for
the scones she sent back with us for our morning tea at our working bee the
next day.
Our final trip up to get the
rest of the parts was done on Saturday the 27th of December when
Ewan, Charley, Blair and Keegan headed up to collect the Final Drive Gearbox
and the 2 sets of Wheels. Ewan had arranged a Hiab truck to lift the gear box
onto the back of Lee’s Reinforcing’s truck (that Lee Regan had kindly loaned to
us) to bring the heavier items back. Once loaded the Hiab did a quick lift for
the Waitara group before leaving and we tied the parts down before going in for
smoko. While there Charley and Keegan were given a Motor Trolley ride up over
the new bridge to Lepperton and back. We then headed for home getting back to
our yard mid-afternoon. We were kindly
loaned the Toll’s forklift so we could get the parts off the truck and we loaded
the Gearbox onto one of our trolleys and wheeled them inside our building.
We must say a big thank you
to the Waitara group for their hospitality, the food and of course the spare
parts for our Drewery loco, to Lee Regan (Lee’s Reinforcing Supplies) for the use
of his truck and to Paul Styles (Toll) for the use of the forklift.
Written by Colin Hughes and
Blair Jordan. Photos taken by Colin Hughes, Charley Masters and Blair Jordan.
SRW Visit To Waitara Railway
21st April 2014
11 SRW members went on this trip to Waitara arriving in time for morning tea. A Beautiful spread was put on by Eileen and the ladies. After morning tea we set out for the purpose of our visit which was to take Blairs and Ewan's Motor Trolleys to get them Mechanicly inspected for running. This included checking them over for lose bolts, cracks in the body frames etc, then starting them up to make sure lights front and rear as well as brakes were all working.
This was then followed by driver training getting five of our members certified to run them. We had trouble with Blairs but after a change of spark plug it was all go. We then had Driver Training with Blair, Ewan, Colin, Greg and Hamish all passing with flying colours. We drove from the depot (Waitara Road, Brixton) into Waitara and back and then to the bridge which is undergoing restoration work. We then had lunch which was a beautiful BBQ put on by Eileen and her helpers.
After lunch the Train with the Dsc loco on the head was fired up for a birthday charter. We rode the Train to Waitara and back to the station and up to the Bridge and back to the station. With the members who hadn't been there before having a cab ride in the Dsc. After that a few more jigger trips into Waitara giving everybody a ride and then afternoon tea (yummy cakes).
A big thank you to Denyse, Eileen and the Waitara group for a great day and for the great food. We left for home just after 5pm it was a very enjoyable day out. Members who went were Blair, Lloryian, Keegan, Ewan, Colin, Greg, Natalie, Hamish, Leonie, Angus and Charley.
Written by Colin Hughes and photos taken by Charley Masters.
This was then followed by driver training getting five of our members certified to run them. We had trouble with Blairs but after a change of spark plug it was all go. We then had Driver Training with Blair, Ewan, Colin, Greg and Hamish all passing with flying colours. We drove from the depot (Waitara Road, Brixton) into Waitara and back and then to the bridge which is undergoing restoration work. We then had lunch which was a beautiful BBQ put on by Eileen and her helpers.
After lunch the Train with the Dsc loco on the head was fired up for a birthday charter. We rode the Train to Waitara and back to the station and up to the Bridge and back to the station. With the members who hadn't been there before having a cab ride in the Dsc. After that a few more jigger trips into Waitara giving everybody a ride and then afternoon tea (yummy cakes).
A big thank you to Denyse, Eileen and the Waitara group for a great day and for the great food. We left for home just after 5pm it was a very enjoyable day out. Members who went were Blair, Lloryian, Keegan, Ewan, Colin, Greg, Natalie, Hamish, Leonie, Angus and Charley.
Written by Colin Hughes and photos taken by Charley Masters.
Steam Traction Society Visit.
18th November 2012
Leaving at 11am members of both Clubs headed for Maewa to visit the Steam Traction Soc. We arrived approx midday and had our lunch. Two more members Ross Allen and Les Fordycemet us there from P Nth just after lunch.
Mike Barnes then gave us a talk on how the Club was formed. It was formed in Wanganui and was known as The Wanganui Steam Traction Soc., before moving to Feilding to become The Steam Traction Society.After the talk we then had rides on the traction engines and steam rollers as well as having a go at steering and driving them.
While we were there 3 trains were seen passing us by on the North Island Main Trunk Line which was right alongside us. A South bound freight with two electrics (Ef's 30140 and 30071), a North bound milk train with Dxb's 5108 and 5120 on the head of 16 tank wagons and also a South bound milk train with four locos on the head (Dfb 7186, Dxb 5114, Dc's 4041 and 4571).
A great time was had by all with a great afternoon tea spread of sandwiches, scones and cakes.
Thank you to Ewan Pound for organising the visit and to the members of the Steam Traction Soc. for allowing us to ride their Traction Engines and Steam Rollers.
Ab 663 (owned by Mainline Steam) on loan to Feilding Steam Rail while their Wab is under overhall was doing a trip to Taihape and return on the same day and a few of our members were lucky enough to see this at Halcombe at about 5pm on their way home.
Written by Colin Hughes. Photos taken by Charley Masters and Colin Hughes.
Mike Barnes then gave us a talk on how the Club was formed. It was formed in Wanganui and was known as The Wanganui Steam Traction Soc., before moving to Feilding to become The Steam Traction Society.After the talk we then had rides on the traction engines and steam rollers as well as having a go at steering and driving them.
While we were there 3 trains were seen passing us by on the North Island Main Trunk Line which was right alongside us. A South bound freight with two electrics (Ef's 30140 and 30071), a North bound milk train with Dxb's 5108 and 5120 on the head of 16 tank wagons and also a South bound milk train with four locos on the head (Dfb 7186, Dxb 5114, Dc's 4041 and 4571).
A great time was had by all with a great afternoon tea spread of sandwiches, scones and cakes.
Thank you to Ewan Pound for organising the visit and to the members of the Steam Traction Soc. for allowing us to ride their Traction Engines and Steam Rollers.
Ab 663 (owned by Mainline Steam) on loan to Feilding Steam Rail while their Wab is under overhall was doing a trip to Taihape and return on the same day and a few of our members were lucky enough to see this at Halcombe at about 5pm on their way home.
Written by Colin Hughes. Photos taken by Charley Masters and Colin Hughes.
Visit to Waitara Railway Preservation Group
1st December 2012
At 7.30am, Blair, Rob, Ewan and Colin left to visit the Waitara Group. We arrived at approx 10am just in time for morning tea with a great spread put on by Eileen.
The Dsc loco was running with a charter group so we climbed on board for a quick trip as far as the bridge and back. It was then a look around to see what the group had achieved since our last visit and we saw the restoration work they have been doing on the Dsa and Tr locos. We helped Denyse with some surveying of land where more track is going to be laid. It was then time for lunch with Eileen's homemade ham and salad bread rolls, finishing off with strawberries and grapes.
After lunch we boarded the Dsc to head to the Waitara Yard where the PD people were helping to lay track in an area they had just removed a point from. While we were here we had a look through the group's new workshop wagon, a great set up. It was great to see them laying track the old way, screwing track to sleepers by hand, pick and shovel work and lifting lengths of track on to wagons.
We headed back to the depot at 3.30pm for afternoon tea, this time with cream scones, egg scones, strawberries and biscuits.
We left for home just before 5pm and stopped at Hawera for tea. Ewan still has the record for the slowest eater. We arrived home at about 9pm.
Another great trip was had by all and we thank Denyse, Eileen and the Waitara Group for their hospitality and great food.
Written by Colin Hughes and photos taken by Colin Hughes and Blair Jordan.
The Dsc loco was running with a charter group so we climbed on board for a quick trip as far as the bridge and back. It was then a look around to see what the group had achieved since our last visit and we saw the restoration work they have been doing on the Dsa and Tr locos. We helped Denyse with some surveying of land where more track is going to be laid. It was then time for lunch with Eileen's homemade ham and salad bread rolls, finishing off with strawberries and grapes.
After lunch we boarded the Dsc to head to the Waitara Yard where the PD people were helping to lay track in an area they had just removed a point from. While we were here we had a look through the group's new workshop wagon, a great set up. It was great to see them laying track the old way, screwing track to sleepers by hand, pick and shovel work and lifting lengths of track on to wagons.
We headed back to the depot at 3.30pm for afternoon tea, this time with cream scones, egg scones, strawberries and biscuits.
We left for home just before 5pm and stopped at Hawera for tea. Ewan still has the record for the slowest eater. We arrived home at about 9pm.
Another great trip was had by all and we thank Denyse, Eileen and the Waitara Group for their hospitality and great food.
Written by Colin Hughes and photos taken by Colin Hughes and Blair Jordan.
Visit to Pahiatua Railcar Society
5th January 2013
Greg, Rob and Colin left for Pahiatua at 8.30am via Feilding, Ashhurst and the Manawatu Gorge to Woodville and Pahiatua, arriving at approx 10am. On the way we had a quick view of the slip in the gorge that caused all the problems last year. It was massive.
At Pahiatua Standard Railcar Rm 31 (Tokomaru) was parked at the station platform/ we met up with Ray, Mark and Don Selby
(President of the Pahiatua Group). Greg and I were given the job of collecting the entrance money, Rob was a parking attendant.
Throughout the day RM 31 did trips to Mangatinoka, Woodville and Hokonui. After a couple of hours collecting entrance fees we were relieved and spent time looking at the rolling stock on display and in the shed.
At approx 1pm Steam Inc's Ja 1271 arrived. It picked up passengers for a trip to Masterton. It was to return to Pahiatua at about
5.45pm and then back home to Paekakariki via the gorge once it had picked up passengers at Woodville who had been dropped off to go to the races.
In the yard 2 Jiggers (motor trollys) were coupled back to back and were giving rides for $1. We all went for a ride on Rm 31 to
Mangatinoka. This brought back memories of the 50's and 60's when railcars were in fashion.
We left Pahiatua at approx 4pm and met up with Blair at Breakers in P Nth for tea. We then stopped at Blair's house in Sanson on the way home. This was another great rail day outing and we thank the Pahiatua Railcar Society for having us.
Written by Colin Hughes. Photos taken by Colin Hughes and Greg Tinnion.
At Pahiatua Standard Railcar Rm 31 (Tokomaru) was parked at the station platform/ we met up with Ray, Mark and Don Selby
(President of the Pahiatua Group). Greg and I were given the job of collecting the entrance money, Rob was a parking attendant.
Throughout the day RM 31 did trips to Mangatinoka, Woodville and Hokonui. After a couple of hours collecting entrance fees we were relieved and spent time looking at the rolling stock on display and in the shed.
At approx 1pm Steam Inc's Ja 1271 arrived. It picked up passengers for a trip to Masterton. It was to return to Pahiatua at about
5.45pm and then back home to Paekakariki via the gorge once it had picked up passengers at Woodville who had been dropped off to go to the races.
In the yard 2 Jiggers (motor trollys) were coupled back to back and were giving rides for $1. We all went for a ride on Rm 31 to
Mangatinoka. This brought back memories of the 50's and 60's when railcars were in fashion.
We left Pahiatua at approx 4pm and met up with Blair at Breakers in P Nth for tea. We then stopped at Blair's house in Sanson on the way home. This was another great rail day outing and we thank the Pahiatua Railcar Society for having us.
Written by Colin Hughes. Photos taken by Colin Hughes and Greg Tinnion.
