The Mini is mobilized in a westerly direction towards Mount White. Friday June 26, 2009
The Tranz heads back East.
Eric Bryant pilots a pair of DXs up to Otira to pick up 18 wagons that were dropped off 832 earlier in the day and here they and the bankers make light work of lifting the tonnage away from Otira's top yard.
I've seen the light! A close up of the RAW pic reveals an OnTracker having his memory wiped by the Men in Black. They are now all equipped with sunglasses for night work.
Going away at ISO 800
A long walk in the wet next morning is a bit of a waste of time as the fog doesn't clear in time for 803
Mr Bryant again near Mt White
A pair of black DXs cross the Waimak
Rocky Creek
Out of the Kiwi/Brunner tunnel in a hastily set up night shot
The Reefton train has stalled on the Stillwater bridge, blocking the line. Luckily a calm and collected Mr Green brings the locos off a following Rapahoe coal train to the rescue. Here the PushMe PullYou train is brought back into the yard.
The coal locos back on their train with the new Cobden Bridge in the background
Don't even think about it...
Next morning I'm in need of a haircut and saddling up for a ride at Tawhai on 832R
Crossing the Reefton goods at Mawheraiti
Receiving instructions from Mr Green
Getting underway
Into the rathole
Beside the Arnold
Into Moana for a crossing with 803
This is my first encounter with the KR2 paint scheme. Not sure I approve.
803 with Colin Kemp at the controls of Frankenstein DX 5310
Coasting past Lake Moana
Alongside the Crooked River
Into Otira where we nose up to the waiting bankers. The pub is top right of the pic
Our work here is done
Mike and Steve give Mr Kemp a wave as 804 returns
Despite forecasts to the contrary, Wed July 1 dawns crystal clear and the train radar picks up blue bandits over the Alps. Still carless, KiwiBiggles.com scrambles to save the planet 7199+4761 west of Rotomanu
Between Rotomanu and Moana
Lake Brunner
Approaching Moana
The Arnold river swingbridge
Arnold River without swingbridge
The Arnold near Kotuku
The bridge on the Kaimata bank from a less familiar angle
Back on the Arnold
Arnold Clumps
Coming out of the Arnold Valley
Approaching Stillwater
Beside the Grey river
Kiwi tunnel
Greyside
Brunner
Later, on terra firma...