At Kawakawa there is a railway station. It is the home of the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway (there is a video on their website) about which I blogged around this time last year in the post First Stop Kawakawa where you can find more informtion about the railways and the steam engine Gabriel. This year we arrived at a convenient time and on a day when the train was running. So we went for a ride. And we had a very enjoyable hour or so doing it before Pauline drove me down to Whangarei for my afternoon flight home to Napier.
Awaiting restoration
Gabriel
Ready to roll
Kawakawa's Star Hotel opened in 1879.
A bit of detail for Mark
The end of the line and the change over
The Long Bridge - the longest wooden curved bridge in the Southern Hemisphere apparently.
The restoration work is under way in conjunction with the cycling organisations who will share it.
A long shot to the final curve on the far side from where the train journey ends at the moment
Slightly spooky looking right at the engine (which is, of course, going backwards at this stage).
I think the driver should be looking where he's going!
The train shares the High Street with the traffic
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The engine is a beauty and I like the historic hotel too. That must have been a fun ride.
ReplyDeleteIt was Terra. Obviously I am of an age when using a steam train was normal and my prep school was flanked by two different railway lines: one the main Liverpool to London line.
DeleteDat ziet er echt geweldig uit dat Hotel is bizar zo mooi en de trein ,de houten brug je waant je ver terug in de tijd.
ReplyDeleteJa, moet Bas, toen het hotel werd gebouwd het zeer prachtig zijn geweest.
DeleteA beautiful loco. Are they coal or woodburners?
ReplyDeleteThey are coalburners, Adrian, but I notice that they start it all up with wood (which makes sense doesn't it).
DeleteIt was the size of the spark arrester on it's funnel made me ask. When I was involved it could take hours to get a bed of coals we used a gas poker and a big fan on the smoke stack. Half an hour till steam up and then twenty minute to blow any condensate out of the cylinders. It was a complicated business. The fire grates used to rely on the gaps in the rails to shake the ash out. They seem to run them on welded track today. I think someone was filling me up.
DeleteMy dad would have loved that (always the first thought to cross my mind when I see a steam train). I think I'd have felt rather nervous about that wooden bridge!
ReplyDeleteMonica the bridge is very solid but you can see through the slats so it would not be good for someone who does not like heights.
DeleteThat looks like lots of fun....I am glad that were able to take the train ride this time around.
ReplyDeleteIt was great fun Virginia. More fun than I expected I have to admit.
DeleteThat looks like fun. And it looks as if you had a perfect day for it. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe were very fortunate Carol. The weather was very good.
DeleteThey are turning decommissioned rail lines into cycle trails here in Australia too GB. interesting concept.
ReplyDeleteCarol they have been turning old railway lines into walks and cycle tracks in the UK for decades. I suppose that if the trains are not viable then at least the spaces are being put to a good use.
DeleteI like your bridge shots, GB. Did you see the piece on TV1 last night about the rail line at Whangamomona? I want to do that one one but think the Kawakawa line is better with a real train.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pauline. I was out at the theatre watching Billy Connolly's show last night so I didn't see any TV.
DeleteThat really is an excellent looking locomotive; thanks for the detail shot!
ReplyDeleteThat bridge looks interesting as well, I can imagine it will be quite spectacular when it's fully restored and open for use.
Mark I was really impressed with the bridge. I'd love to come back in a few years when it's been fully restored and do the ride to the end of the line.
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