Hi all,

in continuing our 'heritage' theme, I also found this documentary which features a short documentary (4mins in) entitled 'KB Country'about the magnificent 4-8-4 Kb class crossing the Southern Alps pf New Zealand. Later in the same documentary is a feature on the final journey of a Wab into restoration.



Enjoy!

Regards,

Token.


Added the Youtube tags to allow the video to display 'in page' /BDNZ

Nice video Token.
The engine running into preservation is a Ww class, not a Wab.
As a matter of fact, this is Ww 480, Built at Hillside in 1910 as a Wg, maker's number 104, it was rebuilt into a Ww later in it's life. It was the first steam engine to be saved by the Railway Enthousiast's society, and was brought to the North Island, where it was overhauled in the old Papakura railway workshops. After a complete overhaul performed by volunteers, the engine went into service at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway as GVR No. 1.

This is how she looks these days:

She has been out of service for a few years now, as she is under overhaul. She has recieved new tyres on the drivers, a new axle, some new crankpins, her driving bearings have been overhauled, rust has been chipped from the water space under the coal bunker followed by waterproofing(a very dirty and dark job) and some more stuff. The valve liners have also been pulled out to be replaced, the replacement castings just need machining. The bearings on the rods also still need some work done to them plus a few other small tasks that need doing.
Progress is going slow as maintenance work on other stuff has to take precedence and we have precious few volunteers who come out to do some work.
One day we hope to have her running again together with sister engine Ww 644.

Cheers,
Rick

No worries Token.

I agree, the NZR did produce some very nice tank engines, although the looks of the Ww's changed for the worse after they got newer higher pitched boilers.

The GVR's last run for the season will be on the 4th of June, and the new running season will start on the 20th of October. You will find that a lot has changed there, a 'new' locomotive on the roster, new colours and a longer line.

Let me know when you are going, I may be able to meet you out there

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks for the offer Rick - I sure will!