Goldfields

Express

Celebrating ’s Rail Heritage - Summer 2020

Main Line gets a makeover Dean McQuoid and Richard Humfrey have been hard at work upgrading ’s Waihi- line.

The highly experienced pair from DBM Contracting has been regauging a number of the sections of the track, realigning the rails in other areas and installing concrete sleepers along key points. They have been able to do the work with virtually no effect on train schedules.

“We decided to contract Dean and Richard in to do the track maintenance, as they could get the job done more effectively,” says Goldfields Railway’s Secretary/Treasurer Chris Hale. “Because of the level of experience these guys have, it is in fact less costly to bring them in than to try to tackle the job ourselves. By using specialist contractors, we also get a much higher standard of work.”

He adds that once the Main Line has been upgraded, long-term maintenance costs will be significantly DBM will be contracted to do the work. cheaper for the railway. The role of Lotteries Heritage, The Lion The railway has recently purchased a large supply of Foundation, Trust and the Hauraki good quality rails from KiwiRail that will be used to District Council in supporting this work is replace worn-out items. greatly appreciated. It’s our 40th year! 1980 - 2020

DSa 551 in operation, wows visitors Goldfields Railway’s award-winning Hunslet diesel locomotive has been given the thumbs-up by NZTA to operate on the recently upgraded Waihi-Waikino heritage tourism line.

Considered the flagship of the railway’s fleet, DSa 551 has received a lot of positive comments from both visitors and the local community. The more powerful machine has already proven itself, carrying some very heavy passenger loads this summer season.

Those driving the 1953-era locomotive are enjoying piloting DSa 551 and find it relatively easy to control.

A bridge too far? As part of Goldfields Railway’s long-term strategy “With the station’s national historical significance, to preserve Waihi Station’s unique heritage, it’s important that we preserve the railway’s investigations have started into the practicalities history in an appropriate manner,” said Executive of adding a short length of track between the current railway line and remaining bridge pylon located at the Victoria St. end of the precinct.

The addition of a small portion of the former Line would allow the ability to move carriages between Lines 1 and 2, as well as provide visitors a chance to view a piece of what the original bridge would have looked liked when it crossed Victoria Street on its way south. Officer Peter Cooper. He added that with the site’s Heritage classification, the work on this mediumterm project would need to be done in a way that does not diminish the site’s historic fabric.

More progress on F564 Restoration work continues on the restoration of

Our R&M Team has now moved on to recladding the

more weather resistance ad lower maintenance,

made so far and looks forward to seeing the project through to its completion. The group adds that F564

and a great attraction for visitors.

operation going.

backgrounds to help keep this local attraction

She adds that those who are new to the area,

or our website for an online form. Signs of the times...

Visitors to historic Waihi Station may have noticed some new signage.

Our carriages now have names on them that reflect either where the rolling stock came from or where they were first manufactured. The change is part of a plan to better tell the history of the railway and its trains.

Along with the external carriage signage, one of our hard-working R&M Team members, Don Henwood, has been collating descriptions of each of the cars that will eventually be placed in These explain that the campground is for paying their respective passenger compartments. overnight visitors only, the location of the new waste dump station on Victoria Street, and that In addition, a number of new signs have been we warmly welcome NZMCA members. placed in Waihi Station’s overnight parking area. Goldfields Railway thanks Council and the NZ Motor Caravan Association for their support in providing some of the signage above.

The Trust also kindly added some promotional signage for the railway along the Rail Trail. Goldfields Railway believes that the signage additions demonstrates the benefits of forging close strategic partnerships with other complementary organisations.

38 Wrigley Street, Waihi 3610 Tel: 07 863 9020 Email: [email protected] Web: www.waihirail.co.nz Like us on: