Mainline Steam Heritage Trust

KA 942 at the 100 year anniversary of the North Island Main Trunk Railway in Feilding being lined up for a locomotive cavalcade.

The Mainline Steam Heritage Trust 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.

About the organisation

The Trust began in 1988 after the Ferrymead 125 events in Christchurch. Based around the collection of steam locomotives that were privately owned by Mr Ian Welch, the first of which had begun operating on the main line with J 1211 with excursion to Timaru and Arthurs Pass double heading with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway's JA 1250 for the Ferrymead 125 which was based in Christchurch. Depots sprang up in Parnell, Middleton and later Plimmerton. The Auckland depot used to be based in the old Parnell diesel depot. It was in the past the organisation’s primary restoration base and most of Mainline Steam's currently active locomotives were restored there. It closed in 2015. The Wellington depot, located at Plimmerton, is a purpose-built building which replaced the formerly leased Upper Hutt goods shed. It has now become the primary restoration base for the organization. The depot in Christchurch is a former industrial building that used to be located at Studholme, it was relocated to land on the premises of CWF Hamilton.

Mainline Steam is notable for having imported a number of African steam locomotives from South Africa and Zimbabwe (including a GMA/M Garratt), with more South African locomotives still overseas. It has also imported former British Rail Mark 2 carriages for use on its steam-hauled excursions, and is in the process of overhauling them for NZ use – it currently relies on spare carriage stock being available from Tranz Scenic. The organisation regularly operates excursions out of Auckland and Christchurch, the latter operating excursions primarily along the highly scenic Midland Line. Mainline Steam also has a number of diesel and electric locomotives in its care.

New Zealand locomotives

NZR steam locomotives

Key: In service In service, Mainline Certified Under overhaul/restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Original class and number Name Builder Builders number Year Built Arrvied Current depot Notes
AB 663 Sharon Lee NZR Addington Workshops 188 1917 1983 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in December 1917. Hauled the "Royal Train" out of Auckland. Transferred to the South Island in September 1959. It was withdrawn in July 1969 but was kept for a possible third locomotive for the Kingston Flyer but was then used as a source of spare parts for the Kingston Flyer ABs. Purchased by Ian Welch in 1983, and restored to mainline standard which included conversion to oil firing at the Silver Stream Railway. In use since 1997, AB 663 is based out of the Plimmerton depot. The 'AB' is notable for being the only "Pacific" locomotive to be converted to an oil burner and has an accessed headlight. Overhauled 2008 - 2009. It has been named Sharon Lee in preservation.
BA 552 NZR Addington Workshops 128 1912 July 28, 1994 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Owned by Les Hostick. Previously on static display at Te Awamutu Railway Museum, leased to Mainline Steam in 1994. Restored to mainline standard in 1999, although certification has since lapsed. BA 552 is having work associated with a major boiler survey and minor mechanical repairs done. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
BB 144 A & G Price 85 1917 July 28, 1994 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Owned by Les Hostick. Previously on static display at Te Awamutu Railway Museum, leased to Mainline Steam in 1994. Restoration work at Parnell began in 2001 after the restoration of JB 1236 was finished and is currently ongoing. It is not intended that BB 144 will be certified for mainline operation. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
J 1211 Gloria North British Locomotive Company 24534 1939 1971 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Purchased by a syndicate from NZR 1971 and moved to Steam Incorporated. Purchased outright by Ian Welch in 1978, and moved to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for restoration prior to its lease to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway in 1985-86. Restored to mainline standard and fitted with original style streamlining and returned to service in 1988. Converted to oil firing from October 1995[1] to December later that year. Named Gloria in preservation. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
JA 1240 Jessica NZR Hillside Workshops 363 1946 1991 Middleton Purchased by Peter Coleman from NZR in 1971 and moved to his Blenheim property. Purchased by Ian Welch in 1991, and moved to Parnell for restoration. Restoration began in 2007 to mainline standard, and was completed in 2012. JA 1240 is based in Christchurch. It has been named Jessica in preservation.
JA 1267 NZR Hillside Workshops 381 1950 May 2008 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Purchased by Les Hostick & syndicate 1971, and placed on static display at the Te Awamutu Railway Museum in 1972. Sold to Ian Welch in 2008 following an ownership dispute, and moved to Parnell for eventual restoration. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
JA 1275 North British Locomotive Company 27104 1951 July 28, 1994 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Purchased by Les Hostick 1967. Placed on static display at the Te Awamutu Railway Museum in 1968, before being leased to Mainline Steam in 1994. Moved to Parnell 1994 for restoration to mainline use. Overhauled 2000-4. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
JB 1236 Joanne North British Locomotive Company 24559 1939 1988 Plimmerton Purchased by the Railway Enthusiasts Society 1971, before later being sold privately and moved to MOTAT where it was placed on static display until 1988 when purchased by Ian Welch, and moved to Parnell. Restored to mainline standard and converted to oil firing in 2001, gaining the 'JB' classification in the process. JB 1236 moved from Christchurch to Plimmerton in 2011 and is undergoing reassembly and painting after passing a 10-year boiler survey. Due to return to service in late 2015. It has been named Joanne in preservation.
K 911 NZR Hutt Workshops 288 1934 October 1998 Plimmerton Used as a boiler supply prior to preservation. Purchased by Ian Welch on 17 June 1988. Restoration commenced in October 1998 and continued after it was transferred to the new Plimmerton depot in December 2000. It was then sidelined in favour of overhauling KA 942. Restoration is due to recommence after completion of Beyer-Garratt 14A 509 in late 2015 and is expected to take five years.
KA 942 Nigel Bruce NZR Hillside Workshops 325 1940 1972 Middleton Intended for use as a stationary boiler at the Hutt Workshops, but not converted for this. Purchased by Ian Welch in 1974, and moved to Steam Incorporated for storage, later moving to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for restoration to mainline standard which was completed in 1990. Made its debut in the South Island in 1992. Overhauled again from 2001 to 2008. Based in Christchurch for replacement of JB 1236. Has been named Nigel Bruce in preservation.
KB 968 NZR Hillside Workshops 351 1939 1995 Middleton Entered NZR service in October 1939. Overhauled at Hillside Workshops in 1966 and making it the last KB to be overhauled. Withdrawn in March 1969. It made its last journey three months after withdrawal on 22 June 1969 hauling a New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society excursion from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass and return. Stored at Linwood until it was towed to Invercargill for uses as a Stationary Boiler. It was later returned to Linwood. During this time it was purchased by the Ferrymead Trust through the efforts of Cyril Evans. Arrived at the Ferrymead Heritage Park on 1 October 1978. It was first steam there in 1979. Used until 1985 on a temporary boiler ticket when it was placed on static display in the "Hall Of Wheels" museum at Ferrymead. It was then placed on loan to Ian Welch in 1991. It was then transferred to Middleton behind J 1211 on 29 July 1995. In September in the same year it was given a temporary boiler ticket for the 1995 Waipara Vintage Festival at the Weka Pass Railway where it was used for running up and down at Glenmark yard. Stored until 2005 when restoration commenced.[2][3]

Industrial steam locomotives

Key: In service In service, Mainline Certified Under overhaul/restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Name Builder Builders number Year built Arrvied Current depot Notes
Tomoana W. G. Bagnall 2475 1932 1993 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Bagnall NO. 2475 was built for Nelsons NZ for shunting uses at their Tomoana Freezing Works from 1932 to 1979. It was the used as a standby locomotive until 1989 when it was stored with a current boiler certificate. Donated to Mainline Steam in 1993, Tomoana NO 1 was transported to Parnell later that year where it was repainted blue with "1" painted on each water side tanks. This locomotive is used to supply steam to assist in starting oil fired locomotives and is regularly seen in use during depot open days. It also features in "Friends of Thomas" events at Glenbrook Vintage Railway.[2] On loan to the GVR. It has been named Tomoana in preservation.
James John Fowler & Co. 16342 1925 29 July 2015 Plimmerton Fowler NO. 16342 was built for the Napier Harbour Board. Withdrawn in 1960 and placed into storage. It as later sold to the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society in 1971 and stored at Seaview. It was moved to the Silver Stream Railway in 1980 and stored until 2003 when restoration commenced. During restoration the loco was sold to SSR member Bryan Bishop. Restored in 2008. It was sold to Ian Welch on 29 July 2015. It has been repainted red with "5" painted on each water side tanks and the back of the and it has been named James.

NZR diesel locomotives

Key: In service In service, Mainline Certified Under overhaul/restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Original class and number TMS class and number Name Builder Builders number Year built Arrvied Current depot Notes
DJ 1228 DJ 3292 Mitsubishi 1535 1967 February 1993 Plimmerton Entered service for the New Zealand Railways service in October 1968. Renumbered as DJ 3292 in 1978. Withdrawn in March 1990 and purchased as motorless and alternatorless hulk by Ian Welch in the same month. It was then moved to Upper Hutt depot in February 1993. It was later moved to Plimmerton in October 2002.[4] The 'DJ' is undergoing restoration for mainline running.
DJ 1229 DJ 3303 Mitsubishi 1536 1967 June 1993 Plimmerton Entered service for the New Zealand Railways service in December 1968. Renumbered as DJ 3303 in 1978. Withdrawn in March 1988 and sold to the Ohai Railway Board later that year for uses hauling coal trains from Ohai to Wairio on the Wairio Branchline. Renumbered as ORB 3 and repainted in their yellow livery. Sold back to the NZR in 1990 but was purchased as a motorless and alternatorless hulk by Richard Head and Graeme Moffatt in March in the same year.[5] It was then moved to Mainline Steam's Upper Hutt depot in June 1993 and was then purchased outright by Richard Head. In October 2002 it was transferred to their Plimmerton depot.[4] The 'DJ' is undergoing restoration for mainline running and was repainted in a "Southerner Blue" version of the livery with the long and short hoods painted black, the running boards and top rim of the long hood has been painted light blue with, the front of the short hood and the back of the long hood have been painted with light blue stripes and yellew headstocks at each end. It has been renumbered DJ 1229 in its restoration. In July 2015 this locomotive was listed as "For Sale".
DJ 1254 DJ 3580 Mitsubishi 1968 1990 Parnell Entered NZR service in March 1969. Renumbered as DJ 3580 in 1978. Withdrawn in April 1990. It was then purchased as motorless and alternatorless hulk. Moved to their Parnell depot and later scrapped for parts after 1996.[5][6]
DSA 258 DSA 617 Hunslet 4536 1955 1999 Upper Hutt Entered NZR service in January 1956. Renumbered as DSA 617. Withdrawn in August 1985. It was then sold to the Tomoana Freezing Works. It was the purchased by the Second Chance Train Trust in 1997. It was then purchased by Ian Welch in the same year. It was then restored and repainted in their "Fruit Salad" version of the livery. It was the leased to Ravensdown for their Awatoto plant. It then suffered damage while in service. Scrapped in 2004 after being replaced by DSA 551.[7][6]
DSB 313 DSB 1153 Drewry Car Co. 2516/D246 1955 January 1991 Parnell Entered service for the New Zealand Railways service in April 1955. Renumbered as DSB 1153 in 1978. Withdrawn in April 1986 and sold to the New Zealand Dairy Company later that year for their Waharoa plant. While there it was repainted in their blue livery with a white trim. In 1991 it was replaced by DSC 2067. It was then purchased by Ian Welch in January in the same month.[5] It is now repainted in the "International Orange" livery and is now used as the yard shunter at their Parnell depot.[8]
DSC 469 DSC 2759 Show Pony NZR Hillside Workshops 449 1967 8 August 2002 Plimmerton Entered NZR service on 12 December 1967. Renumbered as DSC 469 in 1978. Withdrawn in 2002. Purchased by Ian Welch in the same year. It aarrived at Plimmerton on 8 August 2002. It has been restored in their blue livery. It is used on occasions as yard shunter. It is notable for being the last member of its class built and being the first of them to be preserved. It has been named "Show Pony" in preservation.[7][6]
TR 151 TR 534 Tonka Toy W. G. Bagnall 3107 1957 22 September 2004 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in March 1957. Renumbered as TR 534 in 1978. Withdrawn in July 2004 and purchased by Ian Welch in that month. It arrived in Plimmerton on 22 September in the same year. Restored and repainted into Mainline Steams version of the "Fruit Salad" livery. It is used as the yard shunter at their Plimmerton depot. It has been named "Tonka Toy" in preservation.[6][9]

Industrial diesel locomotives

Key: In service In service, Mainline Certified Under overhaul/restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Type Builder Builders Number Year Built Arrvied Current Depot Notes
Drewry Drewry Car Co. 2153 1939 2010 Middleton Built for the Smithfield Freezing Works in 1940 and used until 1994 where it was sold to The Carriage Restaurant, Glenavy. Sold to Steam Scene in 2004 where it was restored to working order. The Drewry is on loan since 2010 and used as shunter at their Christchurch depot.
Price A & G Price 213 1964 1988 Middleton Built for Milburn Cement for their Burnside plant in 1964. Leased to the trust in 1988 and transported to their Middleton depot as a yard shunter. It was overhauled in 2007 and repainted into the "Fruit Salad" livery. It went under an engine replacement 2012 - 2015.

NZR electric locomotives

Key: In service In service, Mainline Certified Under overhaul/restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Original Class and Number TMS Class and Number Builder Builders Number Year Built Arrived Current Depot Notes
EW 1805 EW 165 RS&H 1735/E7491 1951 21 August 2005 Plimmerton Retained as part of the Tranz Rail Heritage collection until 2005, when it was purchased by Ian Welch and moved to their Plimmerton depot. Overhauled to static display condition and undergoing overhaul to mainline standard.
Builders plate from NZGR Ew 1805 locomotive

Former Mainline Steam NZR diesel locomotives

Key: In Service In Service, Mainline Certified Under Overhaul/Restoration Stored Static Display Scrapped
Original Class and Number TMS Class and Number Builder Builders Number Year Built Arrived Former Depot Notes
DJ 1204 DJ 3044 Mitsubishi 1511 1967 1990 Parnell Entered NZR service in February 1968. Renumbered as DJ 3044 in 1978. Withdrawn in April 1990. It was then purchased as motorless and alternatorless hulk in the same month. It was then moved to their Parnell depot, where it was stored awaiting a decision on its future. The locomotive was sold to the Taieri Gorge Railway and scrapped in 2011 as a source of spare parts for their other DJs.[5][6]
DSA 261 DSA 658 Hunslet 4698 1957 2002 Middleton Entered NZR service in June 1957. Renumbered as DSA 658. Withdrawn in April 1985. It was then sold to Ravensdown Fertiliser who used it as their shunting locomotive at Hornby to replace Price 198. While it was their it was repainted into their white livery. Used until May 2002 and purchased by Mainline Steam in the same month. In poor mechanical condition it was dismantled for restoration, but this did not commence and the locomotive remains were stored in the Middleton depot sidings. This locomotive was sold to a private owner in Dunedin in 2009 and is being restored to running order.[7][6]

Former Mainline Steam industrial steam locomotives

Key: In Service In Service, Mainline Certified Under Overhaul/Restoration Stored Static Display Scrapped
Type Builder Builders Number Year Built Arrived Former Depot Notes
Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke 1582 1926 1994 Parnell Built in 1926 for the Westfield Freezing Works. Used from 1927 until 1951. Stored until January 1991 when it was placed on loan to the Goldfields Railway. It was then purchased by Ian Welch in late 1994 and transported to Parnell. It was then sold to the Rotorua Ngongotaha Railway Trust who are restoring it to operational condition.[10][11]

Former Mainline Steam industrial diesel locomotives

Key: In Service In Service, Mainline Certified Under Overhaul/Restoration Stored Static Display Scrapped
Type Builder Builders Number Year Built Arrived Former Depot Notes
Niigata Niigata Transys NK2071 1983 2006 Parnell Built in 1983 for Tasman Forestry numbered 824. Used until 1990 when it was replaced by DA 512 (now DAR 517). Used as a back up locomotive until 1993 when it became surplus to their requirements. Purchased by the late Mark Colestream in 1994 for the Pacific Rail Trust.It was passed into Mainline Steam ownership after Marks death in 2006. It was sold to DMB Contracting in 2015.

List of overseas locomotives

In addition to their core fleet of NZ locomotives, Mainline Steam owns a number of ex-South African and Zimbabwean locomotives. Four are stored in South Africa at Bloemfontein and one near Pretoria, while several engines have been shipped to the Auckland and Wellington depots. It is anticipated that some will not be shipped to New Zealand but remain in South Africa.

Key: In service In service, Main Line-certified Under overhaul/Restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Original Class and Number Builder Builders Number Year Built Arrived Current Depot Notes
14A 509 Beyer Peacock 7582 1953 December 30, 2007 Plimmerton Purchased from the National Railways of Zimbabwe by Unicem Zimbabwe in 1994 and reclassified as their No.2. Out of service by July 2000. Purchased by Ian Welch in 2001 it received a running gear overhaul in Bulawayo from 2002 to 2004. In 2004 after being tested in steam in the presence of Mr. Welch, it was moved to the Bulawayo Railway Museum for storage while shipping to New Zealand was arranged. It was then dismantled for shipment to New Zealand and arrived in Napier on 30 December 2007 with 19D 2695. In August 2014 it was confirmed that its restoration to main line operating condition would commence in September of that year. Due to be recommissioned after an extensive rebuild to meet New Zealand loading and rail gauge standards, conversion to air braking and oil firing, a full boiler examination and re-tube.
15F 2976 Beyer Peacock 7092 1944 After being withdrawn from the South African Railways it was placed into storage in Bloemfontein, South Africa. It was then sold to United Portland Cement. It was then on-sold to Ian Welch and is stored back at Bloemfontein. It currently awaits to be shipped to New Zealand.[2][12]
19D 2695 A. Borsig 14746 1938 December 30, 2007 Plimmerton Purchased from the South African Railways by Unicem Zimbabwe and fitted with a Class 24 tender. It was then reclassified as their No.1. Purchased by Ian Welch in 2004 and moved to the Bulawayo Railway Museum where it was dismantled for shipping to New Zealand. Arrived in Napier on 30 December 2007 with 14A 509. Stored at Plimmerton.
19D 3332 North British 26052 1948 Ex-South African Railways. Purchased by Ian Welch and is stored at Bloemfontein, South Africa awaiting to be shipped to New Zealand.
24 3260 North British 26332 1949 August 7, 1996 Parnell Ex-South African Railways. It was purchased by Ian Welch in 1994 from Spoornet via the Transnet Heritage Foundation. It was overhauled by Spoornet at the Bloemfontein Locomotive Depot. It was shipped to Auckland on 21 June 1996. It arrived in the ports of Auckland on 7 August in that year. Restoration commenced in early 1998 for the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It was converted to oil firing and restored in late 2000. It was then shipped to Cairns, Australia, on 23 January 2001. In 2004 it entered service for the railway. It was then placed into storage in Cairns in 2006 due to a lack of hauling capacity which meant passenger numbers did not meet operating costs.
24 3690 N/A N/A N/A N/A Stored in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and is waiting to be shipped to New Zealand.[2][12]
25NC 3432 Henschel & Son 28751 1953 August 7, 1996 Parnell Ex-South African Railways. It was purchased by Ian Welch in 1994 from Spoornet via the Transnet Heritage Foundation. It was overhauled by Spoornet at the Bloemfontein Locomotive Depot and shipped to Auckland on 21 June 1996. It arrived at the port of Auckland on 7 August in that year. Too large to operate in New Zealand, it is awaiting cosmetic restoration.[2][13][12]
25NC 3508 North British 27368 1954 August 7, 1996 Parnell It entered South African Railways service in 1954 as 25 Cond. It was reclassified as 25NC 3508 in the 1970s. It was withdrawn in 1991 and purchased by Amcoal, Enyati Colliery Railway. It was later purchased by Ian Welch in 1993 and transferred to Princetown then shipped to Auckland on 21 June 1996. It arrived at the port of Auckland on 7 August in that year. Too large to operate in New Zealand, it awaits cosmetic restoration.[2][13][12]
GMAM 4083 Beyer Peacock 7681 1956 August 7, 1996 Parnell Entered South African Railways service in 1956. Withdrawn in 1989 and sold to the Enyati Colliery Railway. It was then on-sold to Randfontein Estates Gold Mine and reclassified as R 3. It was purchased by Ian Welch in 1995 and transferred to the Republic of South Africa for storage although in an operational condition. It was shipped to Auckland on 21 June 1996. It arrived in the port of Auckland on 7 August in that year. In September it was steamed for an open day at Parnell. Restoration commenced with the conversion from a coal burner to an oil burner and the fabrication of a new air brake stand. This was stalled due to the restoration of 24 3260 15 years ago and no work has been done since that time. The locomotive comprises the front engine unit of GMA/M 4126, the rear engine unit of GMA/M 4088 and the boiler unit of GMA/M 4083, Garratt's because of the interchangeability of the engine units, by tradition carry the running number of the boiler cradle.[2][13][12]
GMAM 4135 North British 27787 1958 Ex-South African Railways. Initially sold to Reefsteamers, Germiston. It was then purchased by Ian Welch. In February 2011, it was moved to Hermanstad where it is stored by Friends of the Railway.[12]
GMAM 4148 Henschel & Sohn 29607 1954 Ex-South African Railways. Purchased by Ian Welch, after a long period of storage, it was sold for scrap in 2011 at Reefsteamers in Germiston.[12]

Rolling stock register

Passenger rolling stock

Mainline Steam rosters a large fleet of carriages which will be formed into three trains:

At present the stock for these trains are kept at Plimmerton and Middleton (with some MkII coaches stored at Feilding).

Train One

Key: In Service In Service, Main Line Certified Under Overhaul/Restoration Stored Static Display Scrapped
Original Class and Number TMS Class and Number Builder Carriage Type Year Built Arrived Current Depot Notes
A 391 NZR Petone Workshops 60' high-capacity wooden-body suburban coach 1908 Only surviving 60' suburban passenger coach. Purchased in 1967 by Milson Miniature Railway, donated in 2004 to Feilding District Steam & Rail. Placed in storage at Gladstone, Wairarapa in 2010. It is planned to install a generator for head-end power and to create a "Presidential Style" large end balcony at one end of the carriage.
A 1327 A 50472 NZR Petone Workshops 50' wooden body, passenger coach 1924 2013 Middleton Purchased by Mainline Steam in running condition from Taieri Gorge Railway as XPC 398 in 2013. Rebuilt with a new frame ex-F 443. Original TMS number is 50598, but carries its TGR number of XPC 398. It is now being repainted Pullman Green..
AA 1013 NZR Petone Workshops 50' wooden body, wide-body mainline coach 1908 July 2008 Plimmerton Purchased from the NZR in 1977 and donated to the Tokomaru Steam Museum, before later being on-sold to a private individual at Pahiatua. Acquired by Mainline Steam in 2005, AA 1013 was restored by the Wheelwright Woodworks in 2006-07 as the Premier Car and named Aotearoa before re-entering service in 2008. Last surviving complete coach from the Parliamentary Special of 1908, and took place in the recreation of this train in 2008.
AA 1489 NZR Newmarket Workshops 50' 0" wooden body, wide-body mainline coach 1924 Purchased by Mainline Steam from the Bush Tramway Club and moved to Gladstone, Wairarapa in 2007. Built as a sleeping coach in 1924 but converted to a day car in 1925. Now under restoration.
AA 1669 EA 1922 NZR Otahuhu Workshops 50' 0" vittron panelled, wide-body mainline coach 1929 August 30, 2016 Plimmerton Purchased by Mainline Steam in 2008 and moved to Gladstone, Wairarapa. Formerly Way & Works EA 4234, attached to a steam crane as a sleeping coach for the crane crew. Arrived in Plimmerton on 30 August 2016 where the last part of restortation will be carried out.
F 458 F 721 NZR Newmarket Workshops 47' 6" wooden-bodied guards' van 1922 Initially donated for the Train One carriage set but believed to be surplus to Mainline Steam's requirements. Purchased from NZR by Bush Tramway Club member Eric Burns who donated it to Mainline Steam in 2008. F 458 is still at Pukemiro Junction as of 2013.

Train Two

Pre-TMS classes and numbers TMS Classes and Numbers Builder Year Built Carriage Type Arrived Current Depot Notes
A 1869 A 56081

A 2226
AO 209

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1938 56' steel-panelled mainline coach 2011 Plimmerton Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2011. Fitted with large 'scenic' windows and a large end observation window at rear. Transferred from Parnell to Plimmerton in April 2015. Restoration commenced in November later that year.
A 1921 A 56271

ASO 68
AO 100

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1939 56' steel-panelled mainline coach September 24, 2016 Plimmerton Purchased by a member of the Feilding and District Steam Rail Society from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2013. Later sold to Ian Welch and restored in January 2016. Currently awaiting white lettering applied.
A 1959 A 56600

ASO 136

NZR Addington Workshops 1939 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Plimmerton Ex-Overlander car. Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restored and repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering in April 2014. Awaiting to be mainline certified.
A 1964 A 56634

AO 123

NZR Addington Workshops 1940 56' steel-panelled mainline coach May 31, 2014 Plimmerton Ex-Overlander car. Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restored and repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering in May 2016. Awaiting to be mainline certified.
A 1966 A 56678

AO 215

NZR Addington Workshops 1940 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Plimmerton Ex-Overlander car, fitted with large rear observation window. Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restored and repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering in November 2013. Awaiting to be mainline certified.
A 1971 A 3346

AO 19

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1945 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Middleton Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restored and repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering in September 2016. Awaiting to be mainline certified.
A 1972 A 3354

AO 25

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1945 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Middleton Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restoration commenced in August 2016.
A 1976 A 3397

AO 60

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1939, 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Middleton Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restoration commenced in February 2016.
A 1981 A 56726

A 2151
AO 31

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1942 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Plimmerton Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restored and repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering in January 2015. Awaiting to be mainline certified.
A 1992 A 2060

EA 6709
AO 117

NZR Addington Workshops 1940 56' steel-panelled mainline coach 2011 Plimmerton Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2011. It was later sold to a F&DSRS member in 2013. Later resold back to Ian Welch. Arrived in Plimmerton on 14 July 2016. Restoration commenced in September 2016.
A 2003 A 56876

AO 48

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1939 56' steel-panelled mainline coach July 2013 Plimmerton Ex-Overlander car. Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in July 2013. Restored and repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering in August 2014. Awaiting to be mainline certified.
FM 6 AG 32 Mitsubishi 1977 50' steel-panelled guards' van 2006 Plimmerton Awaiting to be converted to an observation van. Stored awaiting restoration.
FM 1041

EA 7144
EAM 24
FM 3010

Daewoo 1981 50' steel-panelled guards' van 1993 Plimmerton Converted to generator/viewing van FM 3010 at Plimmerton, similar to the KiwiRail AG class vans. Restored for the MkII rake, but is going to be used on the train 2 until another FM van is restored. FM 3010 has been repainted in Mainline Steams midnight blue livery with white lettering and awaits to be mainline certified. Due to be mainline certified in early 2016.
FM 1185 Mitsubishi 1978 50' steel-panelled guards' van N/A Middleton Awaiting to be converted to an observation van. Stored awaiting restoration.

Train Three

Number TMS Number Builder Year built Carriage type Arrived at Mainline Steam Current Depot Notes
BR 3299 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains First Open (FO). In the overhaul queue at Plimmerton.
BR 3433 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains First Open (FO), fourth MkII overhauled. Named Mangaweka.
BR 5988 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains Tourist Standard Open (TSO). In the overhaul queue at Plimmerton.
BR 5915 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains Second Open (SO), second MkII overhauled. Named Raurimu.
BR 5939 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains Second Open (SO), first MkII overhauled. Named Wellington-Manawatu Railway.
BR 6149 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains Second Open (SO), third MkII overhauled. Named Rimutaka.
BR 6091 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Gatwick Express. Stored at Plimmerton.
BR 3409 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Gatwick Express. Stored at Plimmerton.
BR 5914 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach 2008 Plimmerton Ex-Virgin Trains Tourist Standard Open (TSO), fifth MkII overhauled.
BR 6085 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach Ex-Gatwick Express. Stored at Feilding & Districts Steam Rail.
BR 6039 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach Ex-Gatwick Express. Stored at Feilding & Districts Steam Rail.
BR 5972 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach Ex-Gatwick Express. Stored at Feilding & Districts Steam Rail.
BR 3393 British Rail Engineering Ltd (Derby) 1972 60' steel-clad mainline passenger coach Stored at Feilding & Districts Steam Rail.
FM 37 FM 480

FM 3027

Mitsubishi 1978 50' steel-panelled guards' van 2001 Plimmerton Originally owned by Wairoa YMCA and converted to a carriage (one of two). Sold to MLS, converted to dining car FM 3027 at Plimmerton. Certification for mainline use pending, and will be used with the MkII rake.

Former carriages and vans

Original Class and Number TMS Classes and Numbers Builder Year Built Carriage Type Arrived Current Depot Notes
A 1918 A 56263 NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1939 56' steel-panelled mainline coach 2011 Parnell Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2011. Sold to the Railway Enthusiasts Society, 2014.
A 1974 A 3370

AS 2517
ASO 14

NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1945 56' steel-panelled mainline coach 2011 Parnell Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2011. Fitted with a small kitchen and large 'scenic' windows. Scrapped in 2015.
A 1985 A 56742 NZR Addington Workshops 1943 56' steel-panelled mainline coach 2011 Parnell Purchased by Ian Welch from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2011. Originally built as an ambulance coach during World War II. Sold to the Railway Enthusiasts Society, 2014.
A 2004 A 2087 NZR Addington Workshops 1941 56' steel-panelled mainline coach 2009 Parnell Formerly used as a Burger Bar in Te Kuiti since 2000. Sold to Ian Welch in 2009. In 2012 it has been sold-on to another owner.
F 590 F 1255 NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1942 56' steel-panelled guards' van N/A Parnell Scrapped in October 2007 following an arson attack.
FM 4 FM 111 Mitsubishi 1977 50' steel-panelled guards' van N/A N/A Underframe only.
FS 712 Unidentified FS NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1967 50' aluminium-clad steam-heating van N/A Plimmerton Scrapped to provide bogies for the BR MkII cars in 2005.
FS 713 Unidentified FS NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1967 50' aluminium-clad steam-heating van N/A Plimmerton Scrapped to provide bogies for the BR MkII cars in 2005.
FS 714 Unidentified FS NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1967 50' aluminium-clad steam-heating van N/A Plimmerton Scrapped to provide bogies for the BR MkII cars in 2005.

Freight rolling stock

Mainline Steam has a large collection of freight rolling stock, mostly consisting of tank wagons used for oil and water storage, some of which are main line certified. These wagons are largely of the UC class, although there are one example each of the UCA and URK wagons preserved. The group also has a number of KP, ZA, and ZL class box wagons for use as secure storage for locomotive and carriage parts, along with several other general-use goods wagons.

Wagons

Key: In service In service, Mainline Certified Under overhaul/restoration Stored Static display Scrapped
Original class and number TMS class and number Type Builder Year built Current depots Notes
KP 1305 KP 4330 Box NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1961 N/A Entered NZR service on 25 February 1961. Renumbered as KP 4330 in 1978. Withdrawn on 4 January 1986.
KP 1484 KP 6224 Box NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1961 Middleton Entered NZR service on 7 October 1961. Renumbered as KP 7943 in 1978. Withdrawn on 29 March 1986. Used as a storage wagon.
KP 2178 KP 13601 Box NZR Addington Workshops 1965 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service in 1965. Renumbered as KP 13601 in 1978. Withdrawn in April 1988. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
KP 2367 KP 15582 Box Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 1965 N/A Entered NZR service on 11 September 1965. Renumbered as KP 15582 in 1978. Withdrawn on 21 May 1988.
KP 2650 KP 18607 Box NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1965 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service in 1967. Renumbered as KP 18607 in 1978. Withdrawn in December 1988. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
KP 3251 KP 25011 Box Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 1961 Plimmerton Entered NZR service on 31 March 1961. Renumbered as KP 25011 in 1978. Withdrawn on 16 August 1986. Used as a storage wagon for parts.
KP 3452 KP 27147 Box NZR Hutt Workshops 1968 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service on 7 December 1968. Renumbered as KP 27147 in 1978. Withdrawn on 16 August 1986. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
KS 4130 KS 7784 Box NZR Hillside Workshops 1970 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service on 5 December 1970. Renumbered as KS 7784 in 1978. Used as a storage wagon. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
LB 2048 LB 523 High Side N/A 1976 N/A Entered NZR service on 31 January 1976. Renumbered as LB 523 in 1978.
LB 2204 LB 1159 High Side NZR Addington Workshops 1976 N/A Entered NZR service on 28 February 1976. Renumbered as LB 1159 in 1978.
LB 2740 LB 8313 High Side NZR Addington Workshops 1976 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in June 1976. Renumbered as LB 8313 in 1978. Used as a passenger wagon on Parnell depot open days. Stored in Otahuhu.
LB 3432 LB 14743 High Side NZR Addington Workshops 1976 Middleton Entered NZR service on 6 November 1976. Renumbered as LB 14743 in 1978. Used as a storage wagon.
LBF 1451 LB 15696 High Side N/A N/A Otahuhu Reclassified as LB 15696 at East Town Workshops in July 1986. Used as a passenger wagon on Parnell depot open days. Stored in Otahuhu.
LC LC 74437 High Side N/A N/A Middleton Used as a storage wagon.
LPA 1378 LPA 4765 High Side NZR Addington Workshops 1973 Otahuhu Entered NZR service on 28 April 1973. Renumbered as LPA 4765 in 1978. Used as a storage wagon. Stored in Otahuhu.
MC 45141 Low Side Mainline Steam N/A Middleton Built by Mainline Steam at their Middleton depot. Used as a storage wagon.
Unidentified NAK Unidentified NAK Flat Deck N/A N/A Middleton
RB 575 RB 651 High Side NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1960 N/A Renumbered as RB 651 in 1978. Leased to Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
UB 1142 UB 3006 Flat Deck NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1945 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in 1945. Reclassified as UB 3006 in 1978. Withdrawn on 1 February 1984. Stored in Otahuhu.
UC 793 UC 64 Tank NZR Newmarket Workshops 1927 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1927. Renumbered as UC 64 in 1978.
UC 797 UC 104 Tank NZR Newmarket Workshops 1926 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1926. Renumbered UC 104 in 1978.
UC 799 UC 127 Tank N/A 1926 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in 1926. Renumbered UC 127 in 1978. Stored in Otahuhu.
UC 809 UC 231 Tank NZR Petone Workshops 1927 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service on 28 July 1927. Renumbered as UC 231 in 1978. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
UC 823 UC 277 Tank N/A 1927 Middleton Entered NZR service in 1927. Renumbered as UC 277 in 1978.
UC 825 UC 300 Tank N/A 1927 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1927. Renumbered as UC 300 in 1978.
UC 827 UC 323 Tank N/A 1927 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1927. Renumbered as UC 323 in 1978. Used as an oil tanker.
UC 864 UC 634 Tank N/A 1929 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service in 1929. Renumbered as UC 634 in 1978. Used as an oil tanker. At Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
UC 877 UC 784 Tank N/A 1930 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1930. Renumbered as UC 784 in 1978. Formerly an ex - Lyttelton oil storage wagon.
UC 1215 UC 1184 Tank NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1955 Middleton Entered NZR service in 1955. Renumbered as UC 1184 in 1978.
UC 1216 UC 1190 Tank NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1955 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service in 1955. Renumbered as UC 1190 in 1978. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
UC 1234 UC 1495 Tank NZR Addington Workshops 1947 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1947. Renumbered as UC 1495 in 1978. Repainted yellow and is used as an oil storage wagon.
UC 1256 UC 1783 Tank NZR Addington Workshops 1948 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in September 1948. Renumbered as UC 1783 in 1978. Used as an oil storage wagon.
UC 1258 UC 1852 Tank NZR Addington Workshops 1948 Middleton Entered NZR service in September 1948. Renumbered as UC 1852 in 1978.
UC 1278 UC 2079 Tank NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1950 Middleton Entered NZR service in 1950. Renumbered as UC 2079 in 1978.
UC 1288 UC 2177 Tank NZR Addington Workshops 1951 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1951. Renumbered as UC 2177 in 1978. Used as an oil collection vehicle.
UC 1339 UC 2730 Tank NZR Addington Workshops 1950 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in 1950. Renumbered as UC 2730 in 1978. Stored in Otahuhu.
UC 1341 UC 2753 Tank NZR Addington Workshops 1950 Middleton Entered NZR service in 1950. Renumbered as UC 2753 in 1978.
UC 1349 UC 2851 Tank NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1964 Plimmerton Entered NZR service in 1964. Renumbered as UC 2851 in 1978. Repainted red and is used as an oil storage wagon.
UC 1483 Tank N/A N/A Plimmerton Repainted green.
UC 1580 UC 2995 Tank NZR Hillside Workshops 1967 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service on 15 July 1967. Renumbered as UC 2995 in 1978. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
UC 1593 UC 3130 Tank NZR Hillside Workshops 1967 Plimmerton Entered NZR service on 2 December 1967. Renumbered as UC 3130 in 1978. Used as a water tanker.
UC 1624 UC 3429 Tank NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1972 Plimmerton Entered NZR service on 1 January 1972. Renumbered as UC 3429 in 1978. Used as an oil storage wagon.
Unidentified UCA UCA 155 Tank Commonwealth Engineering 1975 Plimmerton
UC 1819 UC 3677

UCA 223

Tank NZR Hutt Workshops 1976 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in July 1976. Renumbered as UC 3677 in 1978. Reclassified as UCA 223 in 1979. Stored in Otahuhu.
UR 1819 UR 191 Flat Deck NZR Addington Workshops 1959 Otahuhu Entered NZR service on 10 October 1959. Renumbered as UR 191 in 1978. Stored in Otahuhu.
Unidentified URK URK 66 Tank N/A N/A Middleton Withdrawn in 1988.
Unidentified USQ USQ 8103 Flat Deck N/A N/A Plimmerton Used as a container wagon.
VR 113 VR 1134 Insulated Meat NZR Otahuhu Workshops 1964 Glenbrook Vintage Railway Entered NZR service in March 1964. Renumbered as VR 1134 in 1978. Withdrawn on 22 June 1985. Stored at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
XP 2989 XP 278 Ventilated Box NZR East Town Workshops 1966 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in 1966. Renumbered as XP 278 in 1978. Withdrawn in September 1981. Stored in Otahuhu.
XP 3027 XP 687 Ventilated Box NZR East Town Workshops 1966 Otahuhu Entered NZR service in 1966. Renumbered as XP 278 in 1978. Withdrawn in November 1983. Stored in Otahuhu.
ZA 1521 ZA 2712 Box NZR Otahuhu Workshops N/A Middleton Entered NZR service on 5 November 1977. Renumbered as ZA 2712 in 1978.
ZL 387 Box N/A N/A Plimmerton Used as a storage wagon for parts.

Excursions

Mainline Steam operate regular excursions using steam locomotives from the trust's collection. These run from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to a number of destinations. These range from short half day excursions to an annual national tour lasting several weeks and covering much of KiwiRail's rail network.

References

  1. "Railfan". 2 (1). Triple M Publications. December 1995. ISSN 1173-2229.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The story of Mainline Steam". BOOKPRINT. 2013. ISBN 978-0-473-25293-9.
  3. http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=3&search=false&sort=none&order=none
  4. 1 2 "Railfan". 9 (3). Triple M Publications. June 2003. ISSN 1173-2229.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Railfan". 1 (3). Triple M Publications. March 1996. ISSN 1173-2229.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=4&search=false&sort=none&order=none
  7. 1 2 3 "Railfan". 8 (4). Triple M Publications. September 2002. ISSN 1173-2229.
  8. "Railfan". 1 (3). Triple M Publications. June 1995. ISSN 1173-2229.
  9. http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/tr---rail-tractor.html
  10. "Railfan". 1 (4). Triple M Publications. September 1995. ISSN 1173-2229.
  11. http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=9&search=false&sort=none&order=none
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=15&search=false&sort=none&order=none
  13. 1 2 3 "Railfan". 2 (4). Triple M Publications. September 1995. ISSN 1173-2229.
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