Locomotive steams to the top

A 145 ton steam train partly restored by volunteers at Glenbrook Vintage Railway has taken out a top restoration award. Locomotive Ka942 has won the Steam Locomotive Restoration Award at the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand (FRONZ) conference, held at Greymouth’s Shantytown.

photo shows Ka 942 passing Makatote near Mt Ruapehu reinacting the first rail journey from Wellington to Auckland in August 1908. Photo taken by Ben Calcott.

Built in 1940 by NZ Railways Hutt workshops the huge locomotive initially worked the main trunk line based in Taihape. It was withdrawn from regular service in 1967 after 944 thousand miles. In 1972 it was sold to Wellington businessman and founder of Mail Line Steam Trust Ian Welsh in what he describes as a very worn condition.

“A number of years spent stored in the open had taken its toll with rust having taken a firm hold in parts,” he says. Restoration began in the 1980s and its overhaul was completed by members of the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. In the 1990s it was a popular tourist attraction steaming a six hour round trip from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass. The restored steam train was retired again in 1999 after firebox problems.

A second restoration was completed in 2008 at Mainline Steam Trust’s Plimmerton depot. Tai Poutini Polytechnic Steam School tutor Ian Tibbles was on the judging committee and says Ka 942 was chosen in recognition of the scale of the boiler repairs undertaken during the restoration.

“This train is a beast. It has around 1400 horsepower and is remembered for pulling 14 carriages on the early main line steam excursions to Arthurs Pass, the longest continuous climb in the country,” he says.

“It’s great to see it looking its best and pumping out that horsepower again.” Ian Welsh says Ka 942 took part in the 100 year anniversary on the North Island main trunk route in 2008 and should be available for service for a number of years. Mainline Steam Trust is an organisation devoted to the restoration and operation of historic mainline steam locomotives in New Zealand. Its Parnell workshop is currently restoring a number of engines back to their former glory.

FRONZ is a not for profit organization representing the Heritage and Tourist Rail Industry of New Zealand, comprising over 70 organisations including museums and rail operators. The Steam Locomotive Restoration award is jointly sponsored by Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Steam School and Shantytown. ENDS

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