Steam wish granted

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 396, 23 July 1991, Page 3

Steam wish granted

Ohakune's rail enthusiasts have been granted their wish and will be given $25,000 to reinstate a locomotive turntable at the Ohakune Junction and set up a steam age signal box at the station. There was little discussion and no debate when the council considered the submission to the Annual Plan and all agreed that it was an ideal way to spend reserves funds contributed by Ohakune subdivision developers. "Railways was an important part of social development in New Zealand," said Cr Penny. . "Most All blacks trained scrummaging for tea and pies in railways tearooms." The council heard that the group, Preservation of Ohakune Railway Station, had been offered a steam locomotive to be based at Ohakune and that they had been offered the Kingston Flier for steam trips out of Ohakune. PORS chairman Bob

Norling was asked if the current track removal at the Junction rail yards would cause the group problems. He said they had met with Railways management and been

told enough track would be left to accommodate a 10 carriage train and that PORS would be able to pick out the best rails for building a new line to the turntable.