Steam Engines To Be Presented To Society

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 12

Steam Engines To Be Presented To Society

The Canterbury branch of the Railways and Locomotive Society will be given three old steam locomotives by the New Zealand Railways. Mr G. S. Troup, the chairman of the branch, will accept formal delivery of one of the steam locomotives, a class WD tank engine, at Timaru on October 29. The engine will then be transported by road to Ferrymead, where it will be stored in a temporary shelter until sheds are built.

The other locomotives, a 95-ton class X locomotive and a 71-ton class WAB locomotive will come from Southland later.

“Last week a private bill was passed in Parliament to allow the Ohai Coal and Railway Board to present the X class and WAB class locomotives to the society,” Mr Troup said. The X class engine was used from 1909 to haul passengers and stock from Taihape to Taumarunui on the main trunk line. The WAB class engine took over from the X class engine on the main line during the First World War. Later these en-

gines ran between Dunedin and Oamaru.

Mr Troup said the value of the WAB engine was £7500 new, but it would only sell for £750 for scrap now. However, it was priceless to an enthusiast.

The society is affiliated to the Scientific and Technological Musuem. After a fundraising campaign in April next year the society hopes to build sheds to house five engines they have received. Two other engines were received some time ago. One is in the backyard of an enthusiast being overhauled and the other is in the grounds of the Rowalien Reserve, Spreydon.