Main Line Steam returns

[Mayner]

Being somewhat "out of the loop" in terms of excursion train operations, I had to investigated after hearing what sounded like an American stye locomotive whistle yesterday morning and late evening.

To discover that steam had returned to the Main Lines for the first time in the past 3 years with some locally based 'School Holiday" excursions. 

The "School Holiday" excursions are operated in conjunction with a "positioning run" to move a locomotive and train from Wellington to Auckland in conjunction with the Grand North Island Steam Tour.

Weather was overcast but could not resist today Hamilton-Waharoa lunch time run.

 

New Zealand Railway coaches were traditionally painted Red, the Yellow coaches are from the Glenbrook Vintage Railway  near Auckland who are hosting the train during its sty in the Auckland region

 

[Mike 84C]

Brilliant! Thats what I call a narrow gauge loco.  

[Mayner]

6 hours ago, Mike 84C said:

Brilliant! Thats what I call a narrow gauge loco.  

The  91 J & JA Class 4-8-2 built between 1939 and 56 had a lot of American design features including cast steel beds and Baker valve gear.

The Js became the standard mixed traffic type while the K & Kb 4-8-4 continued to work the heaviest trains until displaced by diesels from the late 1950s onwards. The ks introduced in the early 1930s had plate frames problems with cracking

Wait until you see the Kb Class