Thomas the Tank Engine style loco to visit

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 578, 21 March 1995, Page 8

Thomas the Tank Engine style loco to visit

A New Zealand Rail 'Thomas the Tank Engine' will be coming to Ohakune for the 'Carnival of Wheels' this weekend. "Main Trunk Rail Ohakune Inc is pleased to be able to bring F163 to Ohakune to support the Carnival of Wheels weekend," said MTRO chairman Bob Norling. The little 'F' was built in Scotland in 1880 and was a pioneer on the New Zealand Railway system in the Vogel era. It was withdrawn from regular service in 1 964 and has been restored by the locomotive depot staff at Milson in Palmerston North. "MTRO plans for the weekend have something for everyone," said Bob. "We begin on Friday by offering all primary school

children in the Waimarino a chance to ride on the train to the Hapuawhenua Viaduct and back. The reference to Thomas the Tank Engine is quite deliberate as F1 63 is probably theclosest locomotive we have in New Zealand to Thomas," commented MTRO secretary Graham Parker. "Thomas the Tank Engine stories have a timeless appeal to youngsters, so a ride behind F163 this weekend should be a real thrill," he said. Family rides will be available on the hour on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Adults have not been forgotten in MTRO's carnival plans. Two champagne and nibbles trips to Horopito and back have been planned for Saturday aftemoon and evening. The first trip, leaving at 3pm, incorporates a visit to the Horopito Museum. The second, leaving at 6pm is a twilight trip to reli ve the golden age of steam. On both trips the bubbly will be served by MTRO committee members suitably attired. Vintage Rail Palmerston North will crew the loco which will haul three carriages for each of the trips. Two are vintage carriages and one is a modem one with catering facilities. MTRO hopes the Waimarino communities will get behind the carnival and support the train rides.