A day out in Oamaru

Tr 35 stands ready at Harbourside station for the first run of the day. 09/06/13.

Today the kids and I were able to visit Oamaru Steam and Rail, a small preservation railway that runs between the historic precinct and the harbour. What an awesome little railway!
Arriving with 15 minutes before the first departure, we purchased our tickets ($11 for me, a five year old and a toddler return), took some photo's and climbed aboard ready for our trip. 

Harbourside station.

Ready for departure.

Not long after taking our seats the LE invited us into the cab for the outward trip to the harbour. When a LE asks if you want a cab ride you can't say no. With my son in control of the horn we departed Harbourside and headed towards Quarry Siding. The train made its way around the historic precinct made up of former wool and grain stores before passing the former goods shed. We then made our way along the harbour to the terminus at Quarry Siding. The trip out only took around 10 minutes but was great fun (I need to get out more).

Quarry Siding.

The train sitting at Quarry Siding.

We had a 15 minute wait at Quarry Siding before returning to Harbourside station. After checking out some of the local wildlife - yellow eyed penguins nesting in a shed - we grabbed some shots of the train. 

Tr 35

Tr 35 is a 0-4-0 shunting tractor built in 1939 by the Drewry Car Company. These locomotives were designed to be used to shunt wagons at small to medium sized stations. Withdrawals from service began in the 1970's but this model of Tr has proven popular with preservation groups with over half of the original 23 locos still in existence.

NB 1716

NB 1716 is a 4 wheel open observation carriage that has been converted from a flat top freight wagon. Passenger seating is provided by bench seats long ways in the middle of the carriage.

While working out how to get a clear shot of the passenger carriage and the guards van with all the four wheel drives and boat trailers around it was time to head back to Harbourside station. With no run round loop at Quarry Siding the train returned in 'push me' style with the guards van leading. On the return trip we rode on NB 1716 and took in the sights of Oamaru harbour. All to soon we were back at Harbourside station and I was able to grab some shots of A 1514 and F 668.

A 1514

A 1514 is a 47' 6" wooden clad bogie passenger carriage built at Dunedin's Hillside workshops in 1923.

 F 668

F 668 is a steel clad 30' bogie guards van built at the NZR's Addington workshops (Christchurch) in 1941.

By now the kids were getting hungry so we decided to try one of the small cafes in the historic precinct. The cafe we chose was the Star and Garter which was just across the road from Harbourside station. What can I say. Great food and service and the best cheese and pineapple toasted sandwich I have ever had. If you're in Oamaru and want to score some browny points to off set the ones you lose by stopping to look at trains bring the other half here.

Restored footbridge.

With lunch complete we headed down to the harbour to check out the restored footbridge and have a play in the playground. The footbridge built in 1906 has recently undergone a $42,000 restoration and the community groups and local businesses involved have done a great job. It was interesting to watch most of the people walking down the harbour use the footbridge instead of the railway crossing and I can see why. The view of the harbour from the footbridge was pretty good.

Oamaru Harbour.

As the kids worked off their lunch I managed to grab a few more shots of the Oamaru Steam and Rail train out and about on its home tracks.

Tr 35 with its passenger train passes beneath the restored footbridge.

The passenger train across the harbour at Quarry Siding.

With a cold breeze starting to pick up it was time to start thinking about heading home as we made our way to the car we heard Tr 35's horn. Making a mad dash up the footbridge I managed to grab a few shots of the train as it passed by on its return trip to Harbourside station.

The guard controlling the reversing move.

And the going away shot.

As we left the harbour and historic precinct for home I couldn't resist stopping to grab a shot of SPHQ 001 outside Steam Punk HQ, the Steam Punk capital of New Zealand. 

Steam Punk is described by wikipedia as a 'sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam powered machinery  especially in a setting inspired by industrialised western civilization during the 19th century.Therefore, steam punk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era in a post apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.' All I can say is that it takes some creativity to convert a retired Ds shunting locomotive into this fire breathing beast. 

Steam Punk at its finest.

A big thanks to the staff of Oamaru Steam and Rail and the Star and Garter for a great day out. Oamaru has to be congratulated for its efforts in preserving not only the original railway line in Oamaru but also the historically significant limestone buildings that make up the historic precinct.

The Oamaru Steam and Rail website can be found at http://www.oamaru-steam.org.nz/

And that's about it...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Winter has arrived in Otago! 
I was on the road heading into work in Dunedin just after 6 am this morning listening to local radio stations talking about the heavy snow falling in Dunedin. State highway one between Palmerston and Karitane  was clear and it wasn't until I hit the Kilmog that I came across snow. It was settling but it wasn't too bad. Snow was falling to sea level at Waitati and the line of trucks lined up at the bottom of the northern motorway (sounds a lot more grander than it is) told me that maybe the toyota wasn't the best choice of vehicle for the conditions. A number of cars that had passed me and headed up the hill returned covered in snow with the drivers looking a little sorry for themselves. It was about then I decided that it was time to head home. Good choice because I only just made it back over the Kilmog. 
Sitting in front of the fire with a hot milo was great but its not often we get snow like this so I thought I'd get out and catch 937 Middleton - Dunedin freight as it come into town. The snow was coming down heavy but wasn't really settling except on the hills. I missed 937 but I did get this shot of the Bushey TWC sign as a snow flurry came through. 
As the day went on the novelty wore off and the opportunity to go chasing in the afternoon just couldn't match the nice warm wood fire at home.

And that's about it. 

A few shots from the archives

The weather here in Otago has been awful the last few days. Constant rain and cool temperatures has been the norm. Not good conditions for train chasing. So instead of some new photos I've delved into my rather limited archives to bring you some random shots of the past.

DJ 3096 and DFT 7239 on shed at Whangarei. The DJ was transferred to Northland to work the Dargaville branch. The DJ returned to South Island and currently powers passenger services for the Taieri Gorge Railway. 16/09/06. 

Another photo taken on one of my trips to Northland. Hitachi rail tractor TR 822 sits in the empty Maungaturoto yard. On my first visit to Maungaturoto the yard was full of container wagons loaded with dairy products from the nearby Fonterra factory. Later visits found the yard empty. I guess Fonterra got a better deal from a trucking firm. Not long after taking this photo TR 822 was transferred to Westfield. 14/11/05.

Hillside built rail tractor TR 897 rests in the late evening sun at the Canterbury Malting Company at Marton. 24/06/06. The TR shunts CG grain and container wagons within the plant complex. 24/06/06. 

DFT 7117 and an unknown DC bring a train of milk powder through Burnside as it approaches its destination of Dunedin. 11/12/09. 

And that's about it...

A few shots for your Wednesday

Just a quick post today before I head out the door again. I managed to head north and catch 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight as it made its way through East Otago. Nice to see some sun and blue skies again. Enjoy.

DXB 5143 drifts through Katiki with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight. 08/05/13. 

DXB 5143 cruises into Bushy. 08/05/13.

It was a short, sharp chase but I was pleased to catch one of my favourite loco's on the business end of 923.

And that's about it.

The legend of the lost train

With a day off from work and the kids in tow, I managed to get out the door for some train chasing. I quickly made up my mind to head into North Otago to catch and follow 923 on its journey south into Otago. Heading north to catch 923 is risky. There are plenty of places along state highway one where you lose sight of the main south line in North Otago and potentially the trains that travel along it.

With no sight of 923 I decided to check the signals at Herbert to see if it had already passed through. Imagine my surprise when I found 923 holding the main. After a short wait the green flickered up on the south main departure signal and 923 got under way. The sound of a DX throttling up from a standing start has to be one of my favourite sounds and I was happy to click away as 923 passed by.

DXC 5229 and DC 4726 accelerate away from Herbert with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight. 24/4/13.

Similar shot to the last one but this one has the kilometre marker in the foreground. Just 276 km's north to Lyttleton and the start of the Main South Line.

Going away shot as 923 leaves the southern end of Herbert.

And this is when the legend of the lost train came about. We quickly departed Herbert and headed south to my next spot. Thinking I had got ahead of 923 I headed for a new photo spot to try my luck. We got there, set up for the shot and waited and waited. After a good 10 minutes waiting, I made the decision to head south again hoping that maybe 923 had already gone through. Of 923 there was no sign. For a good length train that weighed several hundred tonnes I still haven't figured out where we missed it.

Because the chase on the 24th was a fizzer, I'd better pad out this post with a shot or two from a short chase on the 22nd.

Bumblebee DFT 7049 and DFT 7077 finish their climb up the Tumai bank and begin their descent into Goodwood with a pretty lean 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight. 22/4/13. 

923 cruises through Bushy after picking up five empty 'goldies' at Palmerston. 22/4/13.

A fairly big work project comes to an end on Monday so hopefully I might be able to get out for some more chasing in the near future.

And that's about it.

Where has the last month gone?!

Wow. Where has the last month gone. From time to time life just doesn't give you the time to chase trains. Family and a very busy work life has put chasing on the back burner. Don't worry though I plan to get out and do some chasing soon and hopefully start posting some shots again. 

Until then take care.

Better late than never

Tonight's post will be a hit and run. I took all these shots of 922 Dunedin to Middleton freight last Wednesday but I haven't had a chance to post them until now. Since time is short I won't bore you with the trip details but instead let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!

DFT 7092 and 7036 cruise through Seacliff with 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight. Great to see double DFT's on the Main South Line. 06/03/2013.

My favourite shot of the day. 922 sweeps around a curve as it approaches the south end of Merton. 

After a crew change, 922 holds the loop at Merton. Not long from now the loop departure signal will come up green and the Timaru driver can begin his trip home. Not surprisingly cato blue livery is getting fairly worn. Does anybody have a photo of 7092 just after its conversion from a DF to a DFT? 

922 passing through the former Goodwood station site.

After picking up four empty 'goldies' at Palmerston, 922 climbs its way out of the Shag river valley and towards the coast.

And the last shot of the day. New crossing warning lights and sounders have been installed on Stour street in Palmerston. As of today they still aren't operational but this blog will be the first to let you know when they are.  You lucky people!

And that's about it.

Its getting dry.

New Zealand is in the grips of a 'dry'. So far only the Northland region has been officially declared as having a drought, but many regions are getting close if they aren't already there.  While East Otago is in better shape than many other regions, the lack of rain is starting to have an effect... just ask a local farmer.

With a rare day off from work, I decided to head out and catch some of Kiwi Rails finest working their way through the dry East Otago landscape.

A short trip down from my place and I was ready to snap 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight as it approached the Goodwood Road crossing just south of Palmerston.

DXC 5356 and DFT 7036 approach Palmerston light engines. 27/02/2013.

After watching the two locomotives rumble past, I headed up the Palmerston yard to watch 5356 and 7036 pick up five empty 'goldies' for the trip north to Christchurch.

DXC 5356 and DFT 7036 couple up to some empty 'goldies' in the Palmerston yard.

Once again heading north I stopped at a spot I use from time to time to catch short trains in front of the local landmark. Behind 922 is Puketapu hill. The monument seen at the very top is a cairn dedicated to the prominent early Otago politician Sir John McKenzie. As you can see its starting to get dry in East Otago.  

922 cruises north beneath a dry Puketapu.

The LE in charge of 922 wasn't wasting any time and it wasn't until Shag Point when I managed to get past him. Continuing north I decided to try a new spot at the old Katiki station site. The spot isn't the greatest but I really like the concrete over bridge which carries state highway one across the main south line. Pity about the camper van in the background.

922 rumbles beneath the overbridge at Katiki.

By the time I got onto state highway one and managed to get around the camper van 922 was through Hillgrove and climbing up to Hampton. With only some hit or miss spots near by I decided to continue onto Herbert, one of favourite railway locations in New Zealand. I didn't have to wait long before 922 appeared and I was able to get my last shot of the day.

DXC 5356 and DFT 7036 provide plenty of power for 922 as they race past the home signal and loop points at the south end of Herbert station.

Some shots from my normal chasing area and one from a little north. Not a bad way to spend a sunny Wednesday afternoon. 

And that's about it.

Time flies

I can't believe its almost a month since my last post. Time flies. 

With summer beginning its slow wind down, I thought I should get out and grab some shots of Kiwi Rails finest passing through the dry East Otago countryside. 

At Merton, I was able to catch up with my normal targets, 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight and 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight. A DXC and DC made up the whole consist of 922 so I made the easy decision to chase 923 south.

Southbound 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight climbs out of Merton after a crossing and crew change with 922. 13/02/13.

After grabbing a shot of 923 as it left Merton I hit the road and headed south. Just north of Seacliff I found this spot. It wasn't long before 923 arrived and I was able to grab a great shot.

922 cruises along the East Otago coast between Merton and Seacliff. In the background is the Otago peninsular and the entrance to Otago harbour. 13/02/13.

Between Seacliff and Warrington, the coast road and the main south line cross several times as both wind through the shifting hillsides above the Pacific ocean. Just before I got to each crossing the lights and alarms would activate meaning I had to grab shots from the car window. Thanks to the wonders of digital photography even these shots came out alright.

DXC 5327 and DC 4726 drag 922 around the horseshoe curve just south of Seacliff. 13/02/13. 

Rushed shot of DXC 5327 while waiting at a level crossing. 13/02/13.

With the last of the crossings out of the way and 922 being held up at a temporary stop board, I was able to get ahead and grab some shots as it passed through Waitati.

923 cruises into Waitati on the main. 13/02/13.

The cheesy 3/4 shot.

And the going away shot as 923 climbs out of Waitati. 13/02/13.

What a great way to spend a free afternoon.

And thats about it...

Can we chase it? Why not!

I was outside throwing a rugby ball with my son when we heard a loud horn from down in town. "I think its a train. Can we chase it?" I have a very persuasive son and we were soon on the road heading south. 

We caught up with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight at the Wairunga track warrant control sign and managed to get ahead of it to grab a very average landscape shot.

A poor attempt at a landscape shot. DXC 5520 and DCP 4755 lead a well loaded 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight south of Flag Swamp. 17/01/13.

We hit the road again and leap frogged 923. I made a snap decision to try a spot above the former Waikouaiti station site and just made it to grab this shot out the car window. The original shot was pretty poor but digital photography is a fantastic thing. With some trimming it didn't come out too bad.

923 cruises through the former Waikouaiti station site. 17/01/13.

Continuing south we found 923 holding the main at Merton and decided to keep heading south to Seacliff. This is a pretty gutsy decision because the Main South Line disappears from view for long periods. It isn't hard to pass a train along this section of line without even knowing it.

Arriving at Seacliff we waited with fingers crossed for northbound 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight. 

A very tired Seacliff station. No longer in use. 17/01/13.

The gamble paid off when we heard the crossing bells activate to the south of Seacliff and it wasn't long before 922 appeared with DFT 7036 and DXC 5425 in the lead.

DFT 7036 and DXC 5425 with a short train of containers heads north on 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight through Seacliff. 17/01/13.

I grabbed a going away shot of 922 as it passed through the disused Seacliff yard. I have heard of trains crossing here but have never seen a crossing here myself. After the northern loop points were removed due to damage from a recent derailment, the crossing loop became unusable. Hopefully the loop will be reinstated but in all probability the loop and dead end siding will be removed.

Same train heading away. I took this photo just to show the Seacliff yard. The north points have been disconnected after a derailment. I'm standing on the gravel stop at the end of the dead end siding. 17/01/13. 

Hitting the road again but this time heading north we passed 922 as it snaked its way around the many tight curves between Seacliff and Merton. Above Karitane I grabbed another shot of 922 as it began its descent to Merton and its crossing and crew change with 923.

922 Dunedin - Middleton freight on the Main South Line above Karitane. 17/01/13.

We stopped at Merton for a short time before getting on the road again to get a shot of 922 at Tumai but we didn't stand a chance. The Timaru driver wasn't wasting anytime in heading home. With no empty 'goldies' to pick up at Palmerston, it was a battle to stay ahead of the fast moving 922. Somehow I managed to get ahead of 922 and got this very rushed shot at one of my favourite spots. 

922 cruises along the East Otago coast between Shag Point (I kid you not) and Katiki. 17/01/13. 

I decided to continue north and try a spot just outside of Hampton. A wrong turn and a rapidly approaching 922 put paid to any more chasing. On the bright side we were able to stop at the fine fare store at Hampton for an ice cream. For any railfans chasing in the North / East Otago area. Stop here! The ice cream is good and the scoops are enormous. You won't be disappointed. 

And that's about it...

Something out of the ordinary

DXB 5051 with an unidentified DFT / DFB with a loaded 'milkie' crawls down the west loop at Marton. 19/12/12.

So far the new year has been a rough one. We've recently had two deaths in the family. One expected and one very much not expected. To be honest chasing trains is the last thing on my mind so don't be surprised if this blog is a little quiet over the near future.

Just to keep things ticking over, I thought I would post something out of the ordinary for this blog.  I didn't get a chance to do any chasing around Marton, my old home town for obvious reasons but I did grab this shot of a 'milkie'.

As things get back to normal at home, hopefully the blog gets back to normal as well.