Steam locos stars of the show

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 512, 16 November 1993, Page 4

Steam locos stars of the show

While undoubtedly the KA class locomotives 942, and 945 (pictured top) will be the stars of the recommissioning of the Ohakune Thrntable on Saturday 27 November, the lifnelight might be shared by the diminuitive F163, suggested MTRO secretary Graham Parker. i The little 'F' (right) i was built in 1880 | in Scotland and was a pij oneer locomotive on the i New Zealand Railway ! system in the Vogel era. It was withdrawn from 1 service in 1964 and was | restored by the locomoj tive depot staff at I Milson in Palmerston I North. MTRO is fortunate in i being able to get the F163 for the two day extravaganza. Plans are to I have it running up to the Hapuawhenua Viaduct and bac,k during the weekend's festivities, to give Waimarino people the chance to ride on a ' real vintage train. Vintage Rail Palmerston North, will crew the loco which will haul two Auckland subi urban carriages for six trips over the two days. , MTRO hopes to be able to secure sponsorship and keep the fare down. The organisation hopes also to emulate the success of the

'Crunchie Train' and give children the chance to ride behind a steam train again, according -to Mr Parker. Tickets will be sold on the platform and on the train, he said.

With the extravaganza cnly two weeks away work is progressing at full speed to get the turntable operational. It is to undergo its warrant of fitness check this

week. MTRO chief engineer Max Martin, is confident it will pass with flying eolours. Watch next week's Bulletin for a detailed programme of the weekpnd's artivitips