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Full Name: Your Auckland Railway News

Issue Number: 6

Issue Date: December 1953

Volume and Number: 1/6

Pages: 4

Page Range: 1-4

Cover Image: n.a.

CONTENTS

The Rimutaka Trip was a great success, loco_Ew1800 bringing Train_227 into Wellington from Paekakariki in 35 minutes. the 'special' with 11 cars behind loco_Ab832 and loco_A601 with 2 cars added at Upper Htt, it was a stiff climb to Summit. Down the hill and on to Masterton behind Loco_Ab747. for the return, Loco_Ab747 took the train to Featherston where it was joined by Loco_Ab748,. The Hill was tackled using 5 Fell loco's, maximum load. Several other trips are in the planning

Main Trunk blocked twice recently

• On 6/11/1953 loco_Ka948 left the rails between Manaweka Tunnel and Mangaweka station while returning light engine from Marton. Driver Robert Bryant Girvin died in Hospital a few days later while the fireman is still in hospital at time of writing.The engine ended up 30ft down a bank in swamp and will be difficult to recover.
• On 12/11/1953 a major derailment of wagons occurred at Mangapehi.

General News

• The Labour day excursion returning from Rotorua with loco_K905 leading reached Mamaku in under 30 minutes, cutting 9 minutes off the new schedule which had cut 10 minutes off the old one.
• Hallade Inspection car. Car_Ea2700 an ex ambulance car, came up to Auckland on 5/11/1953, to Opua on 6/11/1953 and returned on 9/11/1953. A similar car exists in the South Island.
• Hutt Workshops has serious staff shortages affecting the whole North Island loco fleet. There were 8 K_class_locos, 2 A_class_locos an H_class loco and a J_class loco there on 2/11/1953. LocoK901 was 'in store', converted to Coal burning.
• The 3 engines for the Rimutaka Incline Royal Train are loco_H199, Loco_H201 and loco_H203
• 5,700 ton was hauled up the Raurimu Spiral on 29/10/1953 on 13 trains
• The extra New Plymouth Express is attracting significant parcels traffic
• The Opua Express will run 3 days a week, probably till the new railcars arrive.
• Mamaku Sawmills now operate solely with rail tractors.
• 4 wheeled ballast plough vans (probably from the South Island) have been noted on ballast trains near Katikati.

Loco News

• Loco_Wg483 is now the last of its class still working in New Zealand, and renown for a brilliant display of sparks when working hard. Loco_Wg487 and loco_Wg166 have recently been condemned and loco_Wg484 is at Taihape serving as a washout boiler.
• Loco_Ab830 went into the shops 5/11/1953, loco_Bb624 will follow soon.
• Loco_Bb628 (ref Corrections YARN7) is now running with the tender from loco_Bb624
• Loco_Bb197 came down 'dead engine' from Whangarei on 6/11/1953. It is rumored that the Bb_class_loco's will not be reboilered, so ending their life soon.
• Loco_Ab818 was down from Whangarei on 6/11.1953 with brass-work all nicely polished
• Loco_Ww678 is undergoing a light overhaul because loco_J1207 is expected to be heading to Hutt Workshops soon
• A good number of Ab_class_loco's have been seen around lately, included are loco_Ab659, loco_Ab663, loco_Ab706, loco_Ab717, loco_Ab762, loco_Ab773, loco_Ab774, loco_Ab820, loco_Ab823, loco_Ab825 and loco_Ab833.
• The following loco's have recently emerged from Hutt Workshops; loco_K904, loco_K908, loco_K910, loco_K911 and loco_Ab758
• Recent visitors from Taumarunui have been loco_Jb1203, loco_Jb1239 and loco_J1234
• Loco_J1212 (ref. Corrections, YARN7) has joined the list of Auckland laid up engines.
• Loco_Ww677, LocoWw495 Loco_Ab663 and loco_Ab830 ave all come out of the Auckland shops.
• on 3/11/1953 a scene typical of 20 years ago was seen when Loco_A603 pulled away with a train of a dozen cattle trucks, 4 cars and a van.
• Loco_Ka945 returned to Taumarunui on Train_81 on 21/10/1953
• Loco_Ab742 and loco_Ab745 were at Frankton on 14/11/1953
• A new Diesel shunter was heading to Moerewa on 29/10/1953, built on the under-frame of an F or Fa_class_loco in the Farmers Freezing Co's shops at Kings Wharf. At the moment a small red diesel works day and night there. Loco_Y542 is expected to return to Auckland once the new Diesel is run-in.
• Loco_Ja1285 with 305 ton worked Train_227 to Taumarunui on 30/10/1953
• With 'big' engines in short supply, as many as possible have been pushed through the shed for wash-outs etc.
• As Enginemen will not allow Wab_class_loco's outside the suburban area, De_class_loco's have been working some trains south of Papakura
• De_class_loco's with a full load, consume 85 - 90 gallons of fuel on a trip to Huntly and back - 132 miles.
• Another De_class_loco is expected before the end of the year, so with plenty of Wab_class_loco's for suburban work, diesels will probably cover the Huntly and Helensville goods trains.
• Loco_Wab797 and loco_Wab801 arrived at Frankton on 2/11/1953 and 11/11/1953 respectively.
• Loco_Wab687 is stationed at Putaruru for banking and working the Kinleith Branch
• Loco_Wab686 is the banker based at Te Kuiti
• There are two loco's at A&G Price at present, Loco_Ab822 and loco_Ab746, which was the last to have front discharge ash hoppers on the smokebox. It is about 7 years since she has had an 'A' grade overhaul and run a huge mileage since.

Opening of the Kawerau Branch Line

• A brief ceremony was held at Kawerau attended by some 40 people on 26/11/1953
• The loco entrusted with the opening of the Kawerau Branch was loco_Ab701
• All classes of locomotive are authorised to run on this branch but speed is limited to 15mph.
• Searchlight Signals and motor points are being installed at the junction which will be remote controlled
• It is understood a new UL_class_wagon will be used on the branch.