Table turns for rail

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 535, 10 May 1994, Page 1

Table turns for rail

The weekend's steam train events were deemed a huge success by organisers and passengers alike. And to top it off, the local rail enthusiasts group received the inaugural Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Restoration Award for its efforts to restore the Ohakune locomotive turntable and railway station building "with style and integrity". The award was presented at a special ceremony at the turntable on Sunday morning by NZRHT committee member Paul Mahoney. This presentation followed a welcome to the turntable opening by a very-proud Main Trunk Rail Ohakune president Bob Norling - the driving force behind the whole Ohakune rail restoration project and congratulations from Ruapehu District deputy mayor Graeme Cosford. MTRO member Graham Parker said the award was a real feather in the cap of the group, as there was strong national competition for the award. He said it was awarded to projects that had "accurately and faithfully" restored railways equipment and buildings. Following the presentation the turntable was officially re-opened by the manager of track and structures for the central North Island, Peter Ellery. Ka 942 then gently rolled onto the turntable and railway crews quietly and confidently positioned the engine on the turntable so the 145-tonne engine was balanced on the platform. The moment of truth then came, with four train crew members turning the engine 1 80 degrees on the preciselybalanced cradle. That accomplished to much applause from the large crowd gathered, the engine was ready to pick up'its carriages for its return journey to Auckland. Saturday's double-header excursion from Taumarunui to Ohakune was also successful, with perfect weather and lighting for the hundreds of photographers, video camera operators as they jostled for position to record the event as Ka945 and Ka 942 hauled the combined train up the Raurimu Spiral and later across the viaducts. Passengers told the Bulletin they were impressed with the service organised by MTRO duringtheir time in T urn to Page 2

Table turns on Rail

FROMPAGEl Ohakune. The Wellington passengers were greeted with a breakfast in Cafe Loco, reminiscent of the railway refreshment stops of old when they arrived at Ohakune Station. They said they were impressed with their accommodation, the transport around town and with the function on Saturday night. The comments were not prompted and the passengers were not aware that the writer was from the local media. Mr Parker said the feedback MTRO had received was that passengers were

'overthemoon' atthewhole experience. People had come ff om all over the country to ride on the two trains. He said many had said they would definitely be coming back. An added bonus for MTRO was the sale of photographs on Sunday, of the double-header train. MTRO member Phil Abel said they raised "a few hundred dollars". He thanked Ohakune Photo Pharmacy and Berry ' s Bookshop for their help in preparing the laminated photographs for sale. MTRO's signal box project is next to be completed and the group is al-

ready planning a follow-on project, the construction of a locomotive shed. Mr Parker said one of the difficulties for Steam Incorporated from Paekakariki and Mainline Steam from Auckland, who operate the steam trains, is that there are no facilities

for servicing the engines. A locomotive shed would provide refuelling, watering and servicing facilities under cover, which would mean the trains would be better able to mn to timetable and so the excursions would be even more successful.

He said it was also likely that a locomotive would be housed at the Junction for local trips, once the shed was built. With the tracks and foundations already in place from the old locomotive shed, it would cost about $75,000 to rebuild the shed.