Turntable to open in May

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 531, 12 April 1994, Page 9

Turntable to open in May

Main Trunk Rail Ohakune (MTRO) is now finalising arrangements for the re-commissioning of the Ohakune turntable, MTRO chairperson Bob Norling said last week. Mr Norling said negotiations with Steam Incorporated from Wellington and Mainline Steam of Auckland have been completed and the festivities will take place on the weekend of 78 May. MTRO was very disappointed when they had to postpone the opening in November last year due to poor support of the two steam trains. "Running steam excursions is ahugely costly business and trains must be full to cover costs," said MTRO secretary Graham Parker. "The problem last time was that we had planned such a unique event with doubleheaded Ka locomotives on the Spiral, that all the enthusiasts wanted to chase the train and photograph it, not ride on it." The itinerary for the trip has been changed slightly, hopefully to the advantage of Ohakune. Ka942 will leave Auckland late on Friday night and head for Taumarunui. Ka945 will leave Wellington at an earlier time on Friday evening, pass through Ohakune early morning and meet up with Ka942. The trains will then be joined together as a 'dou-ble-header' and proceed back to Ohakune after two runs up the Raurimu Spiral. "This will be a unique

event and it has not been done with two KA locomotives since 1966," said Mr Norling. The super train should arrive in Ohakune at around 3pm and the turntable com-

missioning ceremony will begin at the turntable site at 3.30pm. There was initially- a lot of difficulty deciding on which of the two Ka's Turn to Page 11

Ohakune turntable to open in May

FROMPAGE9 would be the first steam locomotive on the turntable as MTRO officials did not want to upset either railway groups. The problem was solved when someone suggested that New Zealand's oldest restored locomotive, F163, be asked to do the honours. After the official recommissioning there will be a social event in a marquee tent near the railway station.. Food and drink will be on sale and a jazz band playing. Local MTRO supporters are welcome to attend. Food and entertainment

organiser Brian Dowsett is confident of an excellent night. "I hope the weather is kind to us," he said. The 600 excursionists from Auckland and Wellington will be accommodated in Ohakune and Raetihi on Saturday night. Their trains will leave for Auckland and Wellington mid-Sunday morning. More information about the commissioning extravaganza will appear in th t Bulletin as it comes to hand.