My Work in Rail 2019.
My Last Train for 2019
31st December 2019 (New Years Eve)
My last train for 2019 (and you could unoffically say my first for 2020), train 390 up the trunk for car. Booked on at 2315 hrs. Due out of P Nth at 0015hrs, left early at 2343hrs.With DL 9193 & 9089 towing 1554ton for 607m (34 wagons) long. Happy New Year everyone.
My Last Wanganui Job for 2019
21st December 2019.
This was my last Wanganui (566/565) job for the year and an extra Saturday run. With Dfb's 7199 and 7949 with 1055tons for 537m (30 wagons) long.
Steam Driver Training
11th - 15th November 2019
I was lucky enough to be one of two drivers being trained for driving steam locos with KiwiRail. See their report (from the KiwiRail Express newsletter) below.
New drivers for old engines
Two of our Locomotive Engineers are steaming ahead on the next exciting phase of their railway careers. Richard Norton from Te Rapa and Blair Jordan from Palmerston North have just completed a week’s training at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway to become KiwiRail’s newest steam engine drivers.
Although both have been operating steam on the main line as firemen, the course allowed both LEs to upskill to a driver’s role
According to Technology and Customer Innovation Leader Soren Low, such training is needed so we can continue to support heritage steam operations in future, especially given the retirement of many of our steam-qualified LEs.
The recent course was a collaboration between KiwiRail and the Federation of Railway Organisations of New Zealand, Soren says, and it concluded with NZQA steam assessor and former LE Phil Wagner rating Richard’s and Blair’s abilities to “Drive and Manoeuvre a Steam Driven Rail Vehicle” to the approved unit standard.
While both Richard and Blair are experienced drivers, there are still a number of things to get to grips with in operating steam locomotives, Soren says, but with the assessments completed, and certificates issued, Richard and Blair can now move onto their on-the-job training.
Operational Excellence Manager Sustainability Robin Simmons, who was instrumental in making the latest steam training happen, says he was impressed by both LEs’ dedication and commitment on the course – and “the high calibre of professionalism displayed at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway”. “Tim Kerwin and his team need to be congratulated for the high standards they have set and the excellent training provided to Richard and Blair,” Robin says.
New drivers for old engines
Two of our Locomotive Engineers are steaming ahead on the next exciting phase of their railway careers. Richard Norton from Te Rapa and Blair Jordan from Palmerston North have just completed a week’s training at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway to become KiwiRail’s newest steam engine drivers.
Although both have been operating steam on the main line as firemen, the course allowed both LEs to upskill to a driver’s role
According to Technology and Customer Innovation Leader Soren Low, such training is needed so we can continue to support heritage steam operations in future, especially given the retirement of many of our steam-qualified LEs.
The recent course was a collaboration between KiwiRail and the Federation of Railway Organisations of New Zealand, Soren says, and it concluded with NZQA steam assessor and former LE Phil Wagner rating Richard’s and Blair’s abilities to “Drive and Manoeuvre a Steam Driven Rail Vehicle” to the approved unit standard.
While both Richard and Blair are experienced drivers, there are still a number of things to get to grips with in operating steam locomotives, Soren says, but with the assessments completed, and certificates issued, Richard and Blair can now move onto their on-the-job training.
Operational Excellence Manager Sustainability Robin Simmons, who was instrumental in making the latest steam training happen, says he was impressed by both LEs’ dedication and commitment on the course – and “the high calibre of professionalism displayed at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway”. “Tim Kerwin and his team need to be congratulated for the high standards they have set and the excellent training provided to Richard and Blair,” Robin says.
Christchurch Passenger Driver Training
29 Sept to 4 Oct 2019
I am lucky enough to be getting put through my passenger drivers ticket. To do this I had to spend the week in Christchurch on the Locomotive Simulator. I flew down on the Sunday the 29th. Spent the week days on the Simulator ( plus a day visit to the Tranz Scenic depot on the Thursday) and the evenings having a look around Christchurch. We were lucky enough to finish a day early on the Thursday so we managed to have a look around the Air Force Museum at the former Wigram air base on the Friday morning, before flying home Friday afternoon. I can now start my on-the-job training runs. This involves driving the passenger trains with a minder driver.
Tec 1
11th September 2019
I was working on Em 80 (the track evaluation car) between P Nth to Bunnythorpe back to P Nth and then from P Nth to Oringi back to P Nth on this day.
Work Train 50
4th September 2019
Its not very often you get a Dc loco on a train these days, let along 2 of them. I was on Work Train 50 today with Dc 4594 and 4692. Light loco from P Nth to Marton to pick up loaded Yj (ballast) wagons. Then off to Ruatangata (Whangaehu) to spread the ballast along the Main line (in stations limits), filling in the gaps where the Ballast cleaner had been. Then back to Marton to leave the train there to be loaded for the next days run.
I made the Papers and the KiwiRail web site,
For my Display at the Esplanade Railway in P Nth.
10th and 11th August 2019
See the Stuff (Manawatu Standard) report followed by the KiwiRail one below.
Manawaut Standard
Thomas the Tank Engine display helps get kids all-aboard for rail safety message
Hayden Lauridsen and his sons Reuben, 6, left, and Jacob, 8, watch Henry the Tank Engine chug past at the Esplanade Scenic Railway during a promotional display for Rail Safety Week.
A KiwiRail engineer has shared his passion for trains and an intricate Thomas the Tank Engine themed model railway with the children of Palmerston North to promote rail safety.
KiwiRail and the Esplanade Scenic Railway teamed up to bring the display to town over the weekend, hoping to get the children all-aboard with the message of caution around railway crossings for Rail Safety Week, which is on now.
A long line of children and their families snaked through the Esplanade station, looking for their favourite characters in the lovingly crafted recreations of scenes from the fictional island of Sodor.
Locomotive engineer Blair Jordan has spent years building his Thomas the Tank Engine model set, and it now includes 96 different characters, from trains to planes and automobiles, from throughout Thomas' seven-decade history.
It was great seeing the glee on the children's faces when they spotted their favourite character, he said.
Jordan said as he answered questions about the models and being a train driver, it was the perfect opportunity to slip in safety messages about how to spot when a train was coming and what to do at railway crossings and stations.
Hudson Lauridsen, 4, was having a ball spotting all the familiar characters on display from a birds-eye view in his mother's arms. When she set him down near the counter he eagerly pressed up against the railing next to his brothers, Reuben, 6, and Jacob, 8, for a closer look.
Hudson said he loved everything Thomas the Tank Engine, but it was Gordon that was his favourite train.
His mother, Emma Lauridsen, said the display was a great, kid-friendly way to get rail safety information to stick with young people.
Kids like her son would soak up the information like a sponge, just like they did with everything else about Thomas the Tank Engine, she said.
"It's and awesome idea...Hudson is obsessed with Thomas, so getting to see it all is really cool for him."
Paul Mitchell10:31, Aug 11 2019
A KiwiRail engineer has shared his passion for trains and an intricate Thomas the Tank Engine themed model railway with the children of Palmerston North to promote rail safety.
KiwiRail and the Esplanade Scenic Railway teamed up to bring the display to town over the weekend, hoping to get the children all-aboard with the message of caution around railway crossings for Rail Safety Week, which is on now.
A long line of children and their families snaked through the Esplanade station, looking for their favourite characters in the lovingly crafted recreations of scenes from the fictional island of Sodor.
Locomotive engineer Blair Jordan has spent years building his Thomas the Tank Engine model set, and it now includes 96 different characters, from trains to planes and automobiles, from throughout Thomas' seven-decade history.
It was great seeing the glee on the children's faces when they spotted their favourite character, he said.
Jordan said as he answered questions about the models and being a train driver, it was the perfect opportunity to slip in safety messages about how to spot when a train was coming and what to do at railway crossings and stations.
Hudson Lauridsen, 4, was having a ball spotting all the familiar characters on display from a birds-eye view in his mother's arms. When she set him down near the counter he eagerly pressed up against the railing next to his brothers, Reuben, 6, and Jacob, 8, for a closer look.
Hudson said he loved everything Thomas the Tank Engine, but it was Gordon that was his favourite train.
His mother, Emma Lauridsen, said the display was a great, kid-friendly way to get rail safety information to stick with young people.
Kids like her son would soak up the information like a sponge, just like they did with everything else about Thomas the Tank Engine, she said.
"It's and awesome idea...Hudson is obsessed with Thomas, so getting to see it all is really cool for him."
Paul Mitchell10:31, Aug 11 2019
KiwiRail iKon Website
Thomas On Track For Safety
Locomotive Engineer and self-confessed "classic rail enthusiast" Blair Jordan is helping pass on the rail safety message - along with a little help from a certain world - famous tank engine (and some KiwiRail jellybeans).
Thomas and friends attracted loads of attention, a great way to spread the Rail Safety Week.
On the weekend before the start of Rail safety Week, Blair set up his Thomas the Tank Engine model railway display at the Esplanade Park in Palmerston North, much to the delight of local kids of all ages.
Blair has been building model railways for the past few decades, with the 4m Thomas display the biggest of his six different layouts. And it was the 96 characters on the display, stretching all the way back through Thomas' 70-year history, that attracted the most questions from young on-lookers, Blair said.
Blair has been building model railways for the past few decades, with the 4m Thomas display the biggest of his six different layouts. And it was the 96 characters on the display, stretching all the way back through Thomas' 70-year history, that attracted the most questions from young on-lookers, Blair said.
Blair (and nephew Keegan Jordan-Johnson) with the Thomas the Tank Engine layout on the weekend.
Luckily, KiwiRail had "supplied lots of jellybeans" for the event, Blair said, and these were handed out along with a rail safety message.
While Blair himself has been with rail less than a decade, the railways run in his blood - not only did he grow up next to the tracks in Wanganui, but cousins, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents have all worked for the organisation.
While Blair himself has been with rail less than a decade, the railways run in his blood - not only did he grow up next to the tracks in Wanganui, but cousins, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents have all worked for the organisation.
Some of the 96 different characters on Blair's display.
So as well as doing his bit for Rail safety Week, Blair is also "busting his buffers" (as Thomas would say) inspiring the next generation of rail enthusiasts and workers.
Keep an eye on social media and our Team KiwiRail Facebook group for more Rail Safety Week events.
Keep an eye on social media and our Team KiwiRail Facebook group for more Rail Safety Week events.
by Mick Whittle at 1230pm. in Events, KiwiRail people, News, Zero Harm.
See more on my recent happenings page for my own photos, plus a few others of this event.
Work Train 50, Marton To Wanganui.
30th May 2019
My train today. Work train 50, with Dfb 7049 and Yj Ballast wagons and the Ep plow van. Dropping ballast from Marton to Ruatangata before heading to Wanganui to turn loco to head back to P Nth. Photos taken by myself, at the Wanganui Freight Center while turning loco on turntable.
F 163 Trips through the Manawatu Gorge
Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of April 2019
I was the fireman (morning Shift) on the F 163 hauled excursions from Palmerston North through the Manawatu Gorge, on both Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of April trips. The Excursions were organised by Fielding & District Steam Rail. F 163 was entered into service in 1881 and is New Zealand's oldest locomotive allowed out on the mainline. Permission had been gained to disembark passengers inside the gorge.
On the Saturday this was run as a Rail fan speical and It was intended to travel to Pahiatua, but F163 was steaming poorly and ran late; so the destination was amended to the bridge across the Manawatu River near Ngawapurua. Unfortunately there was a issue with the coal and it clinkered up very quickly. This in turn stopped the air flow through the fire and made it hard to make steam. I have been involved with steam locos since 2004 and I have never had a loco clinker up as quick as this one did. Both the KiwiRail crew and the Feilding Steam guys tried our best to get the loco working properly but it wouldnt play ball. I realy feel for the groups when these things happen but all the passengers still seemed to love the trip.
The Sunday trips were for the public. They ran 3 return trips between Ashhurst and Woodville. Due to the issues they had the day before they decided to put a KiwiRail Diesel with the train to help. This was a wise move as the F still didnt steam very well. But once again the public loved the trips.
Most of the photos were taken by myself (with the first few taken on the Friday the 12th at Feilding as they got the loco ready for the weekend. I had called in to refresh myself on the loco as it had been a few years since I had last worked on it in the Fielding yard). Other photos were taken by Sandy Carter, Cameron Perssson, Stuart Anderson, Michelle Thompson and Jack Still. This weekend was a credit to th team at Feilding Steam that organised it.
On the Saturday this was run as a Rail fan speical and It was intended to travel to Pahiatua, but F163 was steaming poorly and ran late; so the destination was amended to the bridge across the Manawatu River near Ngawapurua. Unfortunately there was a issue with the coal and it clinkered up very quickly. This in turn stopped the air flow through the fire and made it hard to make steam. I have been involved with steam locos since 2004 and I have never had a loco clinker up as quick as this one did. Both the KiwiRail crew and the Feilding Steam guys tried our best to get the loco working properly but it wouldnt play ball. I realy feel for the groups when these things happen but all the passengers still seemed to love the trip.
The Sunday trips were for the public. They ran 3 return trips between Ashhurst and Woodville. Due to the issues they had the day before they decided to put a KiwiRail Diesel with the train to help. This was a wise move as the F still didnt steam very well. But once again the public loved the trips.
Most of the photos were taken by myself (with the first few taken on the Friday the 12th at Feilding as they got the loco ready for the weekend. I had called in to refresh myself on the loco as it had been a few years since I had last worked on it in the Fielding yard). Other photos were taken by Sandy Carter, Cameron Perssson, Stuart Anderson, Michelle Thompson and Jack Still. This weekend was a credit to th team at Feilding Steam that organised it.
The Heartland Expresss
On the 24th of March 2019 Steam Inc ran their Heartand Express to Woodville using Ja 1271. They also took Da 1431 along for the ride to tow the train back on its last part of the trip due to not enough steam crews available. I was the fireman on Ja 1271 from Paekakariki to Woodville back to P Nth where the Da took over for the trip back to Paekakariki. Photos with me in them were taken by either Morgz Tukariri or Cameron Persson, all the rest were taken by myself.
My First Work Train for the Year
Work Train 20 on Sunday the 24th of February 2019 dropping of concrete sleepers (deraiment repairs) between Mataroa and Ngaurukehu (north of Taihape). My first work train for the year. While setting up at Mataroa we had express freight, train No.240 and the Northern Explorer, train No.200 pass us there.
My First Extra Work Period for 2019
My first bit of overtime (extra work period) for the year was on Saturday the 5th of January 2019, with these reliable old girls (Dxb 5108 & 5051) on 256 and 257. I took the empty pulp wagons up to windstones pulp mill near Tangiwai and brought the loaded ones back. I had a 40 min delay at the mill after the shunter wasn't told that he was working today and I had to wait for him to drive up from Taihape. A beautiful day out there with hardly a cloud in the sky. On the way up 256 was 486 ton for 379m (20 wagons) long and coming back 257 was 1346 ton for 379m (20 wagons) long.
My First Train for 2019
My first trains for 2019. 620 for 623 on Friday the 4 January 2019. I was running early both ways so stopped in a few places to get some quick photos. I had Dfb 7160 on 620 to Otane and came back with Dl 9135 on 623. When I first left P nth on 620 I was 198 ton for 199m (11 wagons) long. By the time I got to Otane (after shunting Takapau and Waipukaru) I was 667 ton for 420m (24 wagons) long. Coming back on 623 I was 200 ton for 188m (10 wagons) long. After shunting Takapau I was only 20 ton for 36m (1 wagon) long back to P Nth.