Photos of Ka942 on a positioning move from Plimmerton to Feilding. 12/02/2009.
Photos of Ka942 on the special train which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 1st commercial passenger train on the Main Trunk. 15/02/2009.
During October we operarted our annual NZ Steam Tour. The tour ran from Christchurch to Auckland via Dunedin, Queenstown, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Palmerston North. Lots of steam action and plenty of time for sightseeing. Unfortunately Jb1236 suffered a failure while returning from Dunedin and we had a couple of days diesel hauled. However, this did not distract from everyones enjoyment of the tour and we certainly made up for it once back in the North Island. If you missed this one we are doing it all again in October 2009. See the Excursion page for details. See the Feilding album for photos of the action during that event.
In the early hours of Friday 22nd May 2009 Mainline Steam, in conjunction with KiwiRail Services operated Mechanical Test Train 14 around the junction curves from the Northern Line to the Newmarket line. Although these curves have been in place for some time it has been a matter for debate as to whether or not Ja1275 would negotiate the curve. The test has proved it will.
Thank you to Geoff Blackmore for all the photographs of the test.
In October 2008 Feilding District Rail Society hosted a Centennial Event at Feilding to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Main Trunk Railway. Mainline Steam was heavily involved providing 4 of the steam locomotives for the trains.
Over the weekend of 26th and 27th July 2008 we operated steam hauled shuttles between Christchurch and Belfast. These were to show our support for Rail Safety Week and to raise funds for Mainline Steam. Despite the cold, showery overcast weather lots of families turned out to ride the train. For many it was there first train ride and, judging by their reactions, it won't be their last. Daniel Garland has provided the photos in this album.
In early January 2008 two ex-Zimbabwe locomotives arrived at Mainline Steam's Plimmerton Depot. These pictures, taken by Ian Welch, show them being unloaded. The 14A Garratt is number 509 and the 19D is number 2695.
