Standard railcar at New Plymouth

The Standard railcars were used on the Wellington to New Plymouth run until 1972, when they were replaced by the three Blue Streak railcars (see earlier post), which in turn had become available because of the arrival of the Silver Fern railcars on the NIMT.  The Blue Streaks - and rail passenger services to New Plymouth generally - lasted until the middle of 1977, when the Muldoon government ended them.  Just about everything in this view has gone, although there is still a freight only track to the port. For more info see our books. (Gordon Wood pic)`