Northbound Ed 106 and Ed 108 with a train of mostly oil tankers between North and South junctions on the single track section of the NIMT not far south of Paekakariki, where the changeover to diesel traction would take place, in September 1968. Chris Bradley pic, colour restoration by us (we think we've got it right).
For lots more, see the books Wellington Transport Memories and Railway Electrification in Australia and New Zealand.
I'm not sure you should be describing those as "oil" tankers, the make up of train and location would make me think of the 1970's 778 Wellington Palmerston Nth Petrol and Avgas for Ohakea "Tank" train. Note the Vb/Vr paired Runner Wagons on the head and ahead of the Van and the placards on the tanks for BP and Shell. Those tanks are the Uc class and pre-date the use of Uca tanks on that train.
ReplyDeleteThe empty return was via the Manawatu Gorge and Waiarapa line as 896 to Woodville becoming 897, well at least in my period of '77-87.
ChrisW
Photo looks good and interesting to see the Ed's in multiple - not a sight that would be seen for much longer.
ReplyDeleteThe Ed's were pretty much relegated to commuter passenger trains after the tunnel floors on this section were lowered in 1967 to allow through passage of the Da diesels. The "petrol train" was probably their last regular freight use.
ReplyDelete