There she goes, woo hoo!
6.30am from Paekakariki on a heritage diesel, and then two steam engines replaced the diesel engine at Palmerston North (it was light by then).
Then on to Ohakune in the middle of the North Island.
Two steam engines is rare and we were quite the drawcard. There were photographers on every crossing and hill and good viewing spot: people waving from their front doors and streets and parks and cars. A celebrity train.
Going around a loop.
With photographers on hay bales and cars as we came around.
Train chasers.
Sheep and cows running away from the long monster with the whistle.
The base of Mt Ruapehu near Ohakune, obscured by cloud and our steam and smoke.
Over one of the viaducts. We needed those window wipers when we got steamed up inside, mostly in the dark at the beginning and end of the ride, and also coming out of the tunnels.
Ohakune is a small ski town, they weren't really prepared for 550 people suddenly appearing. We had our own sandwiches and tea etc but did manage to score a local coffee before we had to jump back on.
It was dark when we got back to Palmerston North and they put the diesel engine on the front, leaving the steam engines on.
The shortest day was a loooong one for us - 14 hour train trip, phew. But we had a great day!
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