Vintage train on slow track back

By TONY GEE

The Kawakawa-based Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust is preparing a staged return this summer to the track, both locally and between the town and the port of Opua.

Priorities for getting back on the rails include upgrading the 14km track to Opua and the railway's maintenance shed at Kawakawa.

Trustee and liaison officer Johnson Davis said the first step towards resuming a small, fare-paying passenger service on the line was to secure a Land Transport NZ licence for a motorised jigger operation to Opua.

Subject to bridge inspection and OSH clearance, it was then hoped to have the trust's Price diesel locomotive running through Kawakawa's main street again pulling a passenger carriage to Long Bridge, about 4km north of the town.

Mr Davis said one inspection had been carried out but there was more work to be done on the track as the trust sought $100,000 funding for sleeper replacement.

The aim is to have the jigger running to Opua while the Price diesel takes a passenger carriage just out of town, with a whistle-stop to pick up tourists outside the famous Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa's main street. The street also forms part of State Highway 1.

Mr Davis said the trust was committed to vintage steam rail operations but its old steam engine, Gabriel, needed a boiler rebuild. It had to be stripped and re-tubed, the engine getting a makeover at the same time.

"Momentum is picking up but the key element is the track and maintenance shed upgrade," Mr Davis said.

Trains have not run on the line since safety and maintenance issues were raised in 2001.