Steam locomotives to converge on Ohakune

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 534, 3 May 1994, Page 1

Steam locomotives to converge on Ohakune

Building up a head of steam in Wellington and Auckland this weekend will be two Ka steam locomotives, ready to ride the rails to Ohakune for the recommissioning of the Ohakune locomotive turntable. Steam Incorporated will bring Ka 945 and their vintage rolling stock up from Wellington, arriving in Ohakune at about 6am on Saturday 7 May. Ohakune passengers will be picked up then and depart for Taumarunui at 6.30am. Uponits arri val in T aumarunui , the southern train will be met by Ka 942 and its carriages. The trains will be marshalled together as a super train 'double-headed' by the two Ka's. "This will be a special time in railway history as it has not been done on the Main Trunksince 1966," said Main

Trunk Rail Ohakune secretary Graham Parker. The super train will then head for Ohakune, taking two runs up the world famous Raurimu Spiral, with photo stops on both climbs. It will arrive in Ohakune at about 6pm. MTRO is holding a special celebration social evening and barbecue meal at the Ruapehu College hall, with a professional jazz band. The official opening will begin at the College Hall at 9.30pm and continue at the turntable site on Sunday morning where the Ka locomotives will be turned. The two trains will then depart for Wellington and Auckland at 9.30am. Local people can ride on the train on theOhakune-Taumarunui-Ohakuneleg of the journey, riding the double header super train up the Raurimu Spiral.