Otago Central Vulcan & Steam CELEBRATIONS
Middlemarch, Otago, New Zealand
Labour weekend 2009
On the 7 June 1879 Vincent Pyke turned the first sod at Wingatui to commence the building of the Otago Central Railway to Cromwell. Over Labour Weekend 2009 (23 – 27 October) we celebrated the 130 years since the commencement of building of the line. The Taieri Gorge Railway ran services between Middlemarch and Pukerangi utilising a Vulcan Railcar, Steam Locomotive Ab663 and Vintage Diesel DG772. Two major excursions on Sunday and Monday bought passengers from Dunedin to Middlemarch hauled by Steam Locomotive Ab663.
Slideshows, video and sound files from this terrific event
Video:
Channel 9: Vulcan RM56 on test run to Middlemarch
TV3: Trip down memory lane for Vulcan railcar drivers (Yes, those Fricks engines are not German but Danish!)
Slideshows:
Vulcan's test run Dunedin-Middlemarch - Photos by John Murray
Friday trip on RM56 Dunedin - Middlemarch and then Sutton - By Anne Elliot
Saturday Scenes - Opening of Railway Gallery and train activity in the railway yard - By Anne Elliot
Sunday Scenes - Opening of the water tank and activity in the railway precinct - By Anne Elliot
To Pukerangi with steam and vintage diesel - By Anne Elliot
Filling and turning Ab663 - By Anne Elliot
Sound files:
Ab663 passing (1 min)
Vulcan Railcar RM56 passing (20 sec)
Vulcan Railcar RM56 idling (40 sec)
Partners and Links

