Can remember as a kid catching the railcar at Aramoho from New Plymouth to Palmerston Nth change car and finish my journey in Gisborne that evening used to do that when i was 9 years old and alone great fun.
I recall the several morning departures from New Plymouth (2.35am I think) as a kid travelling to Auckland and spending a bit of time in the toilet as that was the only window that opened enough to stick your head out of. The best bit through to Taumaranui was in darkness unfortunately. I suspect travel was on the RM's rather than the Fiats but wouldn't bet on it.
My Uncle drove them many years back..his name was Pat Ruscoe..lived in New Plymouth,drove them down to a changeover,not sure where think it may have been Marton or Palmerston Nth. then drove the other one back to New Plymouth....I know at Aramoho they stopped for refreshments...a long time ago now.
Even though RM31 was built 1938, this railcar still looks very modern and stylish. NZ Railway workshops in those days built complete trains and also (steam) engines and were capable of turning out a train a month. NZ once had a reasonably good passenger rail services and once again could have if given a fair chance with 21st Century multi modal Rail technologies . People want their trains back….whilst 2024 Govt politically sabotages rail and regresses into 1950’s highway madness- crazy!
the speed varied from 50 to 70 kms approx. Thats my estimation not an actual recording. I was surprised by how fast it went in some areas of the trip, felt great!
