STEAM TRAIN TRIP UNIQUE

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 262, 8 November 1988, Page 1

STEAM TRAIN TRIP UNIQUE

Those who saw "Dianna", the steam train that passed through the Waimarino last week may have been seeing a sight not to be repeated. Dianna, or Jal250 (incorrectly reported as Kai 250 in last week's Bulletin), was returning to Auckland after spending time at Ferrymead, near Christchurch, where the 125 th anniversary of New Zealand rail travel was commcmorated. She is owned by Railway Enthusiasts Society member Phil Goldman who leases her to the Glenbrook Railway. Jal250 was built at Hillside in 1949 and worked out of the Dunedin depot, travelling the routes between there an Oamaru and Invercargill, covering over one million kilometres in her time. A unique part of the steam train's journey to Christchurch was the trip across Cook Strait by Rail Ferry. A Railway Enthusiasts Society spokesperson said Jal250 was probably the one and only steam train to have travelled on the present design inter-island ferries. Another spccial train journey was made over the weekend - a round trip starting from Hamilton. A diesel hauled passenger train travelled to Marton and then to Wanganui for an overnight stay. From there it went to Stratford and across to Taumarunui, then back to Hamilton. The trip was in aid of a rescue helicoptcr which is based in Hamilton and is the second "round the mountains" scenic train to run, the first having made the journey this time last vp.ar