Steam in Taieri Gorge

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

Partners and Links

 

Taieri Gorge Railway

Mainline Steam

Canterbury Railway Society

Diesel Traction Group

Dunedin City website

Middlemarch website

Otago Central Rail Trail