My Work in Rail 2018.
My Last Train For 2018
I just had to get a few photos of what was my last train for the year at East Town Wanganui I was on Train 539, Whareroa to P Nth Express freight with Dl 9360 + 9193 (dead) with 435 ton for 205m (10 wagons) long. Happy New Year Everyone.
My Last Wanganui Shunt (565) for 2018
My last Wanganui shunt for 2018. 565 back to P Nth today with Dcp 4605 and Dfb 7295. I've been told this is also the last Wanganui shunt for the year (but I could be wrong). It's a heavy train with 1411 ton for 553m long (31 wagons all loaded). Photos taken at the Open Country CT site out Castlecliff, Wanganui while loading.
Steam Inc's North Pole Express
Over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of December 2018 I was the fireman on the Steam Inc. North pole Express with Ja 1271. This was a fun way to finish off my steam jobs for 2018. Merry Christmas to everyone. Steam Inc also did trips on the weekend before this.
560/567 P Nth to Wanganui Return.
30th October 2018
My train today (30.10.2018) was 560 for 567 P Nth to Wanganui (East Town) return. Boy those Dxb's can rock and roll in a earthquake. After the earthquake we were sent to the Wanganui Freight Center in Taupo Quay to Rescue a broken down 565. We towed this to East Town where we donated our trail loco to them so they could get to Wellington and we headed back to P Nth with just the single loco and over 900 tons of loaded log wagons behind us. We got back into P Nth 5 mins early. The first 2 photos were taken by myself the rest with taken by Kylie Jordan and Sandra Jordan.
The Heartland Flyer
14th October 2018
A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Firing Steam Inc's Ja1271 from Woodville to Paekakariki. Thanks for the photo of me firing Morgz, the rest of the photos were taken by me. The first 2 at Woodville when we first started and the last 2 at Paekakariki when we finished.
Milk Trains 544 To Wanganui for crew Change with 535
6th October 2018
I was on my 3rd milk train for the season today (but my 1st one in daylight for the year). 544 to Wanganui with Dl9481 & 9498. I changed over there with 535 (empty milk train) with Dl 9072 & 9204 on the head. On my way back i had to shunt Marton picking up Tr 897. From Marton i was reduced to 40km/hr since towing the Tr. Photos are taken at Wanganui, Marton and P Nth when I finished.
Dxr 8022
13th September 2018
Both Dxr locos over the past several months have had a visit to the Hutt Workshops for a derust, overhall and repaint. When they were released from the shops that did a couple of weeks testing between Wellington and Palmerston North, before returning to the south island. Up until this morning I had only manage to see and get pics of them in the yard. But due to the track gang working in Tunnel 1 just out of Wellington this moring, my departure on 566 was delayed. While I waited to get the green light to leave, I helped the other driver out by putting his locos on his train (266) for him and doing the brake test. The lead loco of this train was Dxr 8022. This was my first time driving this class of loco. I loved the cab set out and the clear veiw you get from the drivers seat. I wish all the locos cabs were set up like this. The photo of Dxr 8007 was taken in P Nth yard back on the 24th May when it was released from the shops and the photos of Dxr 8022 were in the Wellington yard (the night shots were taken on the 3rd September (I think it was fresh out of the shops that day) and the day ones on the 8th September).
The Heartland Flyer
13th May 2018
Steam Inc ran a trip from Paekakariki to Woodville return via the Manawatu Gorge using Ja 1271. I was the fireman on the return leg of this trip from Woodville to Paekakariki. Photos taken by Morgz Tukariri, Myself and Dion Mckenna.
A Day on the Pulp Train 250/251
9th May 2018
Today up the NIMT on Train 250/251 Pulp train, with Dxb 5016 & 5074. 1st photo is shunting the Marton Malt siding along side Tr 897, the 2nd is just south of Taihape (BUGGER, should of sent the goods by rail). Photos 3, 4 & 5 are shunting the Winstones pulp Mill near Karori. The 4th is shunting the Tangiwai timber mill and finaly in loop at Taihape while 252 the empty pulp trains goes past me. My train going up was 1 wagon off at Marton then light loco to Pulp mill. Coming home it was 1601 Ton, 462m long with 26 wagons.
The River City Express
22nd April 2018
On this day Steam Inc visited Wanganui with Ja 1271. 244 passengers came up from Paekakariki for the day. Many of them road on the river boat and some did a bus tour around town while here. While in town the train did a trip to East Town and back for the Wanganui locals. I was the fireman on the train from Paekakariki to East Town on the way up. SteamRail Wanganui was once again asked to help with directing the public and the use of their steps to help the passengers on and off the train. Photos taken by Myself and Joel McLean.
The Mangaweka Express
24th March 2018
Steam Inc ran this trip from Paekakariki to Taihape return using Ja 1271. I was the fireman on the P Nth to Taihape section. This was the first steam train I had been on since May last year. Photos taken by myself and Dion Mckenna.
My First Train For 2018
3 January 2018
My first train for 2018. 521 from Whareroa to P Nth with 2 DL's towing 1055 ton and 418m (23 wagons) long. I took my mate Ewan for his first cab ride from Whareroa to Wanganui. Photos taken by Ewan Pound and myself.