Mainline Steam

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Mainline Steam's Plimmerton based locomotive, J 1211. Photo by Joseph Christianson
Mainline Steam's Plimmerton based locomotive, J 1211. Photo by Joseph Christianson

Mainline Steam is a New Zealand organisation devoted to the restoration and operation of historic New Zealand Railways mainline steam locomotives. Regular day excursions and multi-day tours are operated over rail lines throughout New Zealand. These excursions provide travellers with the unique opportunity to relive the days when steam was king while experiencing the magnificent New Zealand countryside. Excursions are operated by the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch branches.

Mainline Steam is notable for having imported a number of South African steam locomotives (including a GMAM Garratt), with some more South African and Zimbabwean steam locomotives yet to be shipped to New Zealand. It has also imported former British Rail Mark 2 carriages for use on its steam-hauled excursions.

Contents

[edit] Locomotives

[edit] Auckland

Mainline Steam has a depot at Parnell, on the Southern line.

  • BA 552 - Operational
  • BB 144 - Under restoration
  • Bagnall - Operational - Thomas the Tank Engine
  • JA 1240 - Under restoration
  • JA 1275 - Operational
  • GMAM 4088 (ex South Africa) - Non-operational
  • 25NC 3432 (ex South Africa) - Non-operational
  • 25NC 3508 (ex South Africa) - Non-operational
  • DJ 3044 - Non-operational

[edit] Wellington

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
EW 1805 and DC 4611 on a delivery run to Mainline Steam's depot at Plimmerton. Photograph by Alan Wickens
EW 1805 and DC 4611 on a delivery run to Mainline Steam's depot at Plimmerton. Photograph by Alan Wickens

Mainline steam operates a depot at Plimmerton, north of Wellington.

  • AB 663 - named 'Sharon Lee', Operational
  • J 1211 - named 'Gloria' - Operational
  • KA 942 - named 'Nigel Bruce', Undergoing steam boiler test 22nd April 2008. The aim is to have 942 fully certified for the mainline by end of June 2008.
  • K 911 - in long term restoration
  • 14A 509 - ex National Railways of Zimbabwe, restored but currently non operational
  • 19D 2695 ex South African Railways, restored but currently non operational
  • DJ 3292 - Under Restoration
  • DJ 3303 - Under Resoration
  • EW 1805 - Operational, under restoration
  • DSC 2759 - Operational
  • TR 534 - named 'Tonka Toy', Operational

[edit] Christchurch

  • JB 1236 - Operational
  • KB 968 - Under restoration
  • Dsa 261 - Non-operational
  • Price 213 - Operational

[edit] Overseas

  • 24 3620 (ex South Africa) - Stored, Cairns, Australia
  • GMAM 4135 - Stored, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • GMAM 4148 - Stored, Germiston, South Africa
  • 19D 3332 - Stored, Bloemfontein, South Africa

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Railway preservation in New Zealand
New Zealand railway heritage and preservation groups
Upper North Island
Lower North Island
Feilding and District Steam Rail Society • Fell Engine Museum • Gisborne City Vintage Railway • New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society • Ormondville Rail Preservation Society • Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust • Pahiatua Railcar Society • Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust • Silver Stream Railway • Steam Incorporated • SteamRail Wanganui • Wairarapa Railway Restoration Society • Waitara Railway Preservation Society • Wellington and Manawatu Railway Trust • Wellington Tramway Museum
South Island
Canterbury Railway Society • Diesel Traction Group • Ferrymead Railway • Kingston Flyer • Ocean Beach Railway • Ohai Railway Board • Plains Vintage Railway • Pleasant Point Museum and Railway • Project Steam • Taieri Gorge Railway (inc. Otago Excursion Train Trust) • Weka Pass Railway • West Coast Historical and Mechanical Society (inc. Shantytown) • Westport Railway Preservation Society
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