During Spring of 2022, Steam Incorporated ventured once again to the South Island, for a new joint venture with Ponuamu Tourism Group, titled as the 'Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer'. Running similar to 2021's Great Southern Train Tour, the tour began in Picton and traversed the South Island Main Trunk to Invercargill & return. Ab 608 hauled the train from Picton down to Kaikoura, where it was taken over by Da's 1431 & 1410 for the rest of the tour, until returning to Kaikoura. Instead of a light locomotive tender first run back to Picton, Ab 608 was sent down to the Weka Pass Railway behind the Da's in light steam, to be serviced & turned for the return leg of the tour train. Sit back and enjoy this half hour presentation of New Zealand rail heritage on the South Island rail network, at its finest!
2 окт 2024
