NZ loco recovered after 93 years.

I doubt it'll ever run again though.

 

Of course it will run again it's just the newness wearing off.

 

For info: this was first posted on YouTube on 29 Jan 2020

 

Apart from the mud, it doesn't look a lot worse than some of the final locos to leave Barry, but it would be a massive task to restore it.

After this remarkable recovery, I wonder, is there any hope that Furness No. 115 might see the light of day again?

 

I certainly wouldn't put it past 'em, as one such recovery (K88, recovered back in 1974) has already been restored to full working order. Never say never!

 

Mind You, 1974 is 47 years ago, how long has it been back in working order?

 

First steamed in 1981, although the boiler has since been replaced.

http://the-lothians.blogspot.com/2016/05/buried-for-47-years-amazing.html?m=1

 

Whatever happened to patience?

Battle plan formed in 1981, serious progress from '87, back in steam 2002. Given the number of railway minded folk among a pretty low population (let's not forget), that actually compares reasonably well with several ex-Barry restorations. Do recall, closer to home, Welsh Pony sat around a fair old while.

 

And altho that video says they probably wouldn't be able to get the second one that was buried there, they did in fact; just a couple of weeks later.

Noel

 

The kiwi attitude to life is one of can do, however preservation as we know it isn't the same as over here they have some superb railways which recreate things as it was but the following is somewhat less than the UK. Things do happen but it takes time

 

They are also making some pretty rapid progress through some carriages as well. (https://www.facebook.com/lumsdenheritagetrust/ for those not averse to Facebook; they don't appear to have a website on their own domain).

Tom

 

I'm amazed that so much of the cabs has survived. There is considerable potential for steam operation in NZ but they just don't have the finances to make it happen.
I saw this loco from the defunct Kingston Flyer in 2017.



There are frequently stories about the line being purchased and the locos put back into service but it's a long time happening.

 

Let's hope they can manage a similar restoration to this !

Rogers Loco Works,New Jersey USA K Class 88,built 1877,withdrawn 1926 and dumped in a river bank.
it was recovered in 1974 and steamed again in 1981.
I saw it at the Plains Railway,Ashburton,South Island,New Zealand on 23/11/2013,I believe two other class members were also recovered.

David Price
Cop Lane on Flickr

 

Steam does seem to be progressing in NZ these days.

The line was purchased a few years back, and the Flyer began test runs in late 2019 I think, with Ab 795 operational again with an intention of returning in 2020 for their summer. Alas Covid has hampered their schedule, but I believe it raring to go when tourists can return. Info on the return here: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queen...h4UvDysRTx3937Or56bFEdjRaagqGK7XlXaccj68ZAh4U and for those that do Facebook here is footage of loco in steam and stock moving in January this year:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3105482289480945

The other significant addition is the Marlborough Flyer, introduced a couple of years ago to give a couple of hours run primarily for Cruise ship patrons from Blenheim: https://www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz/train-trips/super-sunday-specials Only running occasionally at the moment due to Covid-19 but they are also doing a grand tour around the south island that, if I could get to NZ, would be an incredible way to spend a few weeks: https://www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz/south-island-tour

Preserved railways are few and far between (with a lot of old railway lines now being walk/cylce tracks or even repurposed for rail rider golf carts) but mainline steam seems to be doing well over there, particularly impressive given the propensity for single tracks.

 

K92 was another recovered one and was lurking in Gore goods shed in 2000....