My Work in Rail 2020.
My Last Train for 2020
A great way to finish a tough year, doing one of my favorite jobs today (31st December 2020). Car for 565 seen here at Castlecliff, Wanganui today. When we leave we will be 1465ton for 565m (32 wagons) long. The days even better as there is no DL's on this train. Happy New Year everyone.
Christmas Day 2020
My job on Christmas day was 217 to Wellington for car home. Before leaving wellington I managed to get a few photos around the loco depot. Including a couple of in cab shots for Rhys Goodman.
Also Naughty Santa left his rain deer behind to trespass on the tracks as I traveled through Forrest Lakes near Otaki on my way to Wellington. I managed to slow down and didn't hit them but it came close. I must admit I wasn't sure if they were deer or goats at first.
Also Naughty Santa left his rain deer behind to trespass on the tracks as I traveled through Forrest Lakes near Otaki on my way to Wellington. I managed to slow down and didn't hit them but it came close. I must admit I wasn't sure if they were deer or goats at first.
Visitors at Wellington
I was on on 263 for 212 on Friday the 27th of November 2020 and since the weather was playing ball I decided to fill in time in between trains with a walk around the Wellington yard and along the water front. Took a few photos along the way (including lunch). There was a couple of rear visitors in Wellington while there. Dxc 5212 fresh from over hall at Hutt Workshops and 2 of the Silver Fern Railcars.
Training on the Northern Explorer.
My Training on trains 200 and 201 is progressing well. In the first photo I am at Shannon (Unknown photographer). Ray Deerness took the 2nd photo at Parparaumu (both 1st and 2nd photos were taken on the 14th November 2020). Lockie Murrell photographed me at Taihape on 200 (the Northern Explorer) on the 21st of November 2020.
More Wellington
New Visitors to Wellington on the 14th November 2020. Silver Fern Rm 18 and Dxc 5293. I was on 201 the Northern Explorer that day with Dfb 7010.
Wellington
Over the last month, I have managed to get photos of Dc 4571 and 4444. These locos have now been sold to Martinus in Australia. I took photos of 4571 on the 9th of October 2020 and 4444 on the 14th of September 2020. Dc 4444 is now in Oz and 4571 waits for its trip to Auckland to be shipped over also. According to railway people in the know KiwiRail has sold 6 Dc's to Martinus and 20 odd UKK flat deck container wagons. Rumor has it that the 6 Dbr's stored at Steam Inc (owned by DBM Contracting Ltd) have also been sold to them. Martinus plan to used these in new line construction and maintenance.
A Winter Wonder Land
28th August 2020
A Good frost at Waiouru this morning. Sitting in loop on 228 waiting to cross 217. Unfortunately after 217 cleared the points failed and I had to get out and try and clear the ice away from them. This didn't work so I had to hand wind the points across and get a swa1 to carry on. On a good note it made for some good photos on my return train 391 when I had to once again stop at Waiouru on way back.
252 Empty Pulp Train
14-2-2020
My train today. 252 for 255. With Dfb 7213 and 7173 (shut down) with 572ton for 451m (25 wagons) long. Photos were taken at Ngaurukehu while I waited in loop for 251 to go through on way up. I came back light loco with 7173 leading picking up Dl 9475 at Taihape ex the work train on way back.
Trouble on the Trunk
16-01-2020
Not a good night on the trunk. Over head wire down between Greatford and Marton. Was meant to be on 229 to Wellington for 234 but sent just north of Marton to releave my 229 doing crew change at 1am and that's where I have stayed. 397, 221, 215 and 217 all parked up in loops behind me and 523 at Marton in front of me. They are hoping to have line open for diesels by 7am. They have sent rescue diesels out to tow me home but they have only gotten to Rangitawa and now wait for line to be opened also. First 2 photos are of the standed 229 and the last two being towed homeby the diesel's.
My First Train for 2020.
3-1-2020
Not the best of photos, but this is my first train for the year. 566 from P Nth to Wanganui. With Dc 4594 and Dfb 7199, towing 938ton for 606m (34 wagons) long.