Stack Talk
September 1st 2010.
Mainline Steam in conjunction with RES/GVR will be operating Ja1275 from the Strand Station to Onehunga on the 18th September for the official opening of the refurbished Onehunga Branch. The train will use RES carriages to carry dignitaries and officials to the opening. The line will be open to the public for passenger services on the 19th of September. I will publish more details as they become available.
July 31st 2010.
A great trip with the Main Trunk Trekker from Auckland to National Park and return. This is a long day trip starting in Auckland at 5am and returning at 11:30pm. It is, however, an adventure that takes us through the pastoral grasslands of the Waikato and on into the more rugged central North Island culminating in a climb up the Raurimu Spiral to National Park in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu. From here passengers are transferred by bus to the Grand Chateau for a meal before busing back to Taumarunui to rejoin the train home. During the course of the trip we had some photo runs, two during the day on the way and then a spectacular night run on the way home. There is a short video here showing some scenes from the trip. Some photos are available here. If you missed the trip this year make sure you book when it becomes available next year.
July 20th 2010.
Work has been progressing on Ja1240 with new bearings being fitted to three of the main axles and overhaul of the tender body, underframe and bogies commenced. If you have checked in on the progress for a while take a look at the photos here.
July 5th 2010.
On Sunday July 4th J1211 and Jb1236 were both in action in different Islands. J1211 was standing in for Feildings Wab on the Tranz Scenic Overlander Steam Engine Sunday and Jb1236 was running our first 2010 season winter trip to Arthurs Pass. Both trips ran without problems. The Arthurs Pass trip saw 1236 running under clear blue skies with snow capped mountains as a backdrop and J1211 did some excellent running between Taihape and Palmerston North to make up some time lost by the Overlander north of Taihape. By all accounts a great day was had by everyone on both excursions. Mark Stout has been kind enough to provide some photos of 1211 at Taihape. The two photos here show 1211 being turned at Taihape and departing south with the Overlander.
The photos below are compliments of Richard Cocker and were taken during the 4th of July trip to Arthurs Pass. More photos are available here.
June 25th 2010.
Saturday 19th June saw us head to Hamilton for the Fieldays. This year, as well as taking a trainload to the Fieldays, we also ran an excursion to Waharoa and return which was sold locally. The whole day was a great success with hundreds turning out to ride and view the train. Despite threats of rain the weather held out giving those that went to the Fieldays a dry day to view the exhibits and it also meant we were able to do a photo run on the Waharoa leg of the trip. Thank you to PGG Wrightson at Walton for allowing us to use their yard as a vantage point. Some photos from the day are available here.
June 3rd 2010.
On Saturday the 29th May Ja1275 led our excursion to Whangarei from Auckland. With all the work that has been taking place on the western line this was the first opportunity to operate the Northlander in some years. The weather leading up to Saturday was terrible with heavy rain and high winds in many areas, including Northland. However, Saturday was one out of the bag with sunny skies and only a couple of showers to deal with. One of the major projects on the western line has been the new station at New Lynn which is now located in a trench. Ja1275 can now lay claim to being the first steam locomotive to pass through the trench and station. North of Helensville the North Auckland Line (NAL) is currently one long speed restriction with one after another. It was pleasing to see KiwiRail does have the Tamper on the line working to improve it. We did manage a couple of photo runs on the way north and the stop at Wellsford gave passengers and locals a great chance to get up close to the locomotive with many taking the chance to have their photo taken in front of the engine and to have a look in the cab. At Whangarei a number of passenger took the side trip to the museum while others went into town for some lunch and a look around. For the return trip we had to add a diesel in front of the steam locomotive as there was not enough steam crews from KiwiRail to operate the Ja back to Auckland. The return trip went as smoothly as the outward trip and we arrived back in Auckland right on time with a train load of tired, but very happy, passengers. A short video shot on the day can be seen here. There is also a video of Ja1275 on the Whangarei turntable here. This turntable is from Taneatua.
May 20th 2010.
Jb1236 passed her annual visual boiler inspection and had the radio certificate redone as well.
The boiler was washed out two weeks ago and is very clean inside, there are some other small jobs to complete as well as a live steam test before we head to The Pass on July 4.
Several bolts have been removed from Kb 968's tender and these will be replace by rivets, we are working on getting the remaining baffles in place inside the tender.
We now have a new roller door on road 2, the container that was beside the building has been shifted over by the boundary fence on the south side of the complex, the yard is being tidyed and the ballast level is being raised to railhead height to make easier walking and working conditions, the outside pit has had covers made and fitted.
We are planning on refitting the Hiab to Urk66 in the near future and Uc2753 is in line to be painted shortly, Ab663 is waiting for 1236 to clear the pit so we can do some jobs on it.
We have also gained a few new members lately which is good to see, we have two mechanics and a cabinetmaker/ex NZR shunter, and a retired engine driver along now.
Lindsay
May 7th 2010.
Mainline Steam is on Twitter. The @ name is mainlinesteam.
May 7th 2010.
Parnell Progress.
Our main project, the overhaul of Ja 1240 continues with good progress being made.With the boiler now back on the frame new cladding has been made up and fitted
to the firebox and the throat sheet cladding is now under repair.The cab was refitted last night to allow the mounting holes to be drilled to match the frame and to ensure it is straight (it wasn't), once this is complete it will be removed for final painting and finishing.
The steam pipes from the header to the cylinders have all been fitted and work has started on a new set of super heater elements. A start has been made on cutting out the cracked RH cylinder liner, once this has been done the spare liner will be machined and fitted.The left hand guide bars, piston and new rings have all being fitted and the guide bars aligned.
The tender was recently dismantled and work is now underway on cleaning and painting all the component parts.The bearings on one bogie have been cleaned and checked with only two bearings requiring replacement, refurbishment of the brake gear is underway for both bogies.The tender underframe is about 50% cleaned and painted and should be complete next week.
Ja 1275 has also received some attention recently with the mechanical lubricator stripped down for cleaning and reseating the valves in the pumps which were found to be leaking and suspected of being the cause of the erratic feeding on recent outings.
On top of all that shunter training and refreshers are underway and a planned review of our Safety Systems, never a dull moment.
Also a hats off to our Christchurch members who at short notice prepared Ab 663 to stand in for the Wab during its problems while down south, and some of whom
took time off work to then help repair the Wab.
Grant
April 23rd 2010.
Work is progressing on Ja1240 with cladding and insulation being applied to the boiler and the cab getting new rivets all round. The tender has also been starter with the body being removed from the underframe and the bogies also being separated for inspection and cleaning. Photo here.
Mainline Steam has also been involved with the Fielding and District Rail Societies tour of the South Island over the last several days. Unfortunately their Wab locomotive suffered a few problems on the way to Christchurch from Picton. Mainline Steam was able to step in and provide our Ab663 for their train to Waipara the next day and then to Greymouth a couple of days later. The Wab was based in our depot while repairs were undertaken before it was towed to Greymouth to catch up with their train. The Ab waited in Greymouth until the Wab headed back to Christchurch and came back on that train.Today the Fielding train departed for Picton as the first part of their return journey to Fielding.
April 12th 2010.
The Easter Weekend event at Ferrymead went very well with Ab663 and Jb1236 went very well and congratulations are in order to all the Christchurch team. Ab663 also ran a successful trip to the Weka Pass Railway on the 10th of April. Unfortunately Weka Pass A428 was out of action so we weren't able to double head over the Weka Pass as originally intended. However, Ab663 handled the train without incident over the line. While there 663 was the first locomotive to water from the newly installed water vat. Thank you to Weka Pass for hosting us. Photos are here.
March 30th 2010.
Ab663 & Jb1236 are going to the Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch over the Easter weekend where they will be in steam and operating over the Ferrymead line. If you are in the area make sure you get along for a look and say hello to the Christchurch team.
March 25th 2010.
The restoration of Ja1240 took a big step forward today with the refurbished boiler being placed back on the underframe. A photo is here.
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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