Stack Talk
March 10th 2010.
Ja1275 is safely back in the Parnell depot after a successful sojourn to the Bay of Plenty for the Kiwi Festival. As well as the trips there and back we operated a day of shuttle trains between Mount Maunganui and Te Puke and ran a charter train to Kawerau and return and a public excursion to Matata. The train brought people out in their thousands to see it and on the Saturday trip to Matata the train was sold out and the roads jammed with spectators. We took every opportunity to allow people a look in the cab of Ja1275 and many, many families will now have a photo of their child in the cab. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all the KiwiRail staff for their hospitality while we were in the area. It helped to make for a successful trip. Photos are posted here.
March 2nd 2010.
The weekend of the 27th and 28th February was a busy one for Mainline Steam.Our Wellington Depot was support the Kiwi Hutt Workshops by exhibiting Ka942 and Aa1013. Both were very well received and although Ka942 was not permitted to run it made its presence known with load blasts of the whistle. Meanwhile Some of our Auckland team traveled to Mount Maunganui on Saturday 27th with Ja1275 and on the Sunday operated a series of shuttle trains between Mount Maunganui and Te Puke. These went very well with lots of people turning out to ride the trains and to see Ja1275 in operation. The Sunday morning started with a Tsunami warning just as 1275 was be fired up in Mount Maunganui yard. As many of you will know that yard is not very far above sea level. Everyone was looking around for something to climb should the Ports warning alarms go off. However, the warning was lifted just before the train departed for it's first run of the day.
February 26th 2010.
Ka942 and Aa1013 will be heading out to Hutt Shops today for Open Day on Sunday 28th February. It is 70 years, this year, since Ka942 rolled out of the gates of Hutt to begin its career with New Zealand Railways so it is appropriate that it should be on display on Sunday. Aa1013 is a little older being built in Petone in 1908. Both pieces of equipment are being provided to the Hutt shops free of charge by Mainline Steam. As well as these historic pieces of equipment, visitors will be able to see Dx and Dc locomotives and some of the modern track maintenance equipment as well as a chance to see inside the shops. Entry to the Open day will be via Bell Road, Lower Hutt from 11am to 4pm with gold coin donation. All funds raised go to local ambulance services.
February 25th 2010.
Ja1275 is in steam and ready to go for the trip to the Kiwi Festival on Saturday. Mainline Steam will be operating a number of trips as part of the Kiwi Festival starting on Sunday with shuttle trains to Te Puki from Hull Road in Mount Maunganui. Please remember if you are coming out to see the train keep off railway property and in particular stay out of rail yards at Mount Maunganui and Kawerau. Good views can be had from public property so please stay safe and don't trespass.
February 19th 2010.
On the 18th February 2010 we provided Ja1275 for the re-opening of the
old Auckland signal box which has been converted to office space for a
company called Datamine. They have done a terrific job of preserving
this building which would have otherwise probably been demolished. We
provided Ja1275 free of charge for their corporate event in
recognition of their efforts. All the guests were given a short cab ride
and 1275 proved to be the star of the party. Some photos are available here.
February 18th 2010.
Ja1275 is going to a corporate function this afternoon to celebrate the refurbishment of the old Auckland Signal Box. It has been leased by a company called Datamine and they have turned it into their offices. A short video of Ja1275 being fired up can be found here.
February 10th 2010.
Ja1240 has passed a milestone in its restoration today by successfully passing the hydro pressure test on its boiler. This means the boiler can now be reunited with the frame and from here on it's basically like a big kit set that has to be put back together. Well done to Lindsay and all involved. A video can be seen here.
February 2nd 2010.
Ka 942 will be going to the Hutt Workshops Open Day on the 28th February. It will be in steam and operating over the Test track during the day.
January 18th 2010.
The Kiwi Festival excursions are all go so see our Excursion page for all the booking details. This trip will be hauled by Ja1275.
Our Christchurch Depot has undergone a change of Manager over the Christmas break. Richard Baird has stood down and Lindsay Challis has now taken on the job. Richard has done an excellent job over the last few years but also has a number of other interests to pursue and found that the amount of time being spent with Mainline was increasing to the detriment of other interests. He will still be involved in a more relaxed capacity as a volunteer and is currently working on the rehabilitation of the diesel shunter. His efforts over the past few years have been very much appreciated.
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