MilkTrains & A Steam Excursion On The Lower Westmere Bank 

Hi, yeah I am greatfull we still see mainline steam locomotives on the NZ network. But it has not been straight forward: the mainline groups are built on the spirit of the volunteer worker and fundraising and goodwill. There are many train groups in NZ where the membership is elderly. Then there is the challenges of overcoming safety auditing and compliance costs. Then ensuring that the national operator KiwiRail has enough steam-qualified drivers. (Good news here: the train in this video had a newly qualified crew member on the footplate). We in Whanganui see a steam loco come up once or twice a year from where they are kept and maintained near our capital city of Wellington. Whanganui is within the limit of where a steam loco can get to from its home base, and back again within a days' run. (-although in the example of the event in this video, the train was running trips for locals and stayed for two nights without a need to rush home) Whanganui also has a turntable, restored by volunteers in 1990 and now absorbed back into the national network. Further up the line, our counterparts in other towns rarely see steam. Into the future, trouble is always present: there is health& safety debate about letting steam passenger trains through tunnels and the climate-change commentators are starting to take note of coal-fired heritage steam. So I don't take these things for granted and I do appreciate the steam locos when they do come up.

@@MarkSeconi What is the quality like of your steaming coal? New South Wales Gunnadah coal is very fireman friendly but Tasmanian coal used now for manufacturing of cement is high ash, medium volitile matter and a little more shale like. No steam trip is ever the same and crews never get the experience especially when mechanical or steaming issues occur. Boilers, internal steam pipes and superheaters must be in first class condition. All Tasrail is container and bulk and auto nuckle couple with air. No pasenger trains since 1976. In 2013 when the State Government took back the trains and track, they rationalised the system and upgraded however lifted the points and disconnected museum railways access off the Tasrail system, which I don't blame. However running steam, all same problems as you say, everywhere. Although steam motive reliability always an problem plus couplers and vacuum brake not compatible means that modern motive power cannot assist and clear the section when steam locos fail . Although some rail fans don't like it, you really need diesel assist to reduce the load off the steam engine and take up the slack due to inexperience crews. Unless piston and valve bore are remachined to almost original tolerances and piston rings renewed engine won't meet their original working time table tonnage for that line. I have seen cylinder bore oval with 1/2 inch gaps for steam bypass over the piston. Also population and destination base a problem. You must incorporate the train operation to fit in with tourist restricted time and budget restraints in a small island State. You have to research the market and work backwards. I have a plan that would solve and develop tourism in Tasmania and save some track . I love your Wine Station concept at Blenhiem. I am trying to get interest in a concept of wine /recreation/ bistro hub at Lebrina with steam shuttles to a camp picnic site at Denison Gorge and depot at Wyena. We had a few of those NZ three domed tank engine once but all scrapped, would be ideal. Travel like they do on Puffing Billy. Campers, locals, tourists, walkers and bike riders. GOOGLE EARTH Lebrina Tasmania and follow the closed railway. Extremely hard to get rail society, bike groups, local business and government interest in developing a State wide cooperative rather than separate impossible unviable and extremely volunteer intensive track/bridge rebuilds that soon loses enthusiasm. GOOD LUCK AND WELL DONE NZ...LEAD THE WAY (as usual)

I never noticed until now! The train was due back at its final destination at dusk, so presumably they flicked the red tail lights on when they were preparing for departure.