You might remember my recent blogging about the trains at Wellington station. Imagine my surprise when I arrived in town for my Executive stint today to find more interesting trains. Vintage trains in fact.
New Zealand is celebrating 100 years of the North Island Main Trunk line between Wellington and Auckland. They were showing off the train to mark the occasion.  Checking up the details in MT’s book Trainland: Railways in New Zealand it seems that it was the real mccoy on show.
In 1908 the train took 20.5 hours to travel the 426 miles. In 2008 the equivalent service takes around 12 hours. High speed rail travel has not yet arrived in New Zealand although I understand from my friend Sarah that as a tourist experience it is worth the hours. Well, apart from the on board commentary of all the tourist points along the way which after several hours can be a little tiring.
Here’s some more pictures so you can enjoy our train celebration. Oh, by the way, I should apologise for the title of this blog. Don’t blame me, it’s my witty husband who as an avid trainspotter wanted to play a part in this important news!
In case you’re wondering, I’ve not forgotten my organising mission.  In fact, I went shopping on the way back from town and bought the necessary equipment for the first shaker project. I’m sure Debbie over at Virtually Organised will be proud of me soon!
Yay You found Thomas the tank engine!… or maybe not that train but that’s really awesome, my children would love that. (I’d love it too, while not as into trains as some people I’ve met) That’s a nice surprise.
Nice job working towards your shaker project.
Hi Claudious – thanks for your continued interest in our part of the world! If you like trains, here’s a link to a train project to reinstate the Kaitoke railway just behind where we live. How amazing would it be to see the trains go by again – just like the railway children!
http://www.rimutaka-incline-railway.org.nz/index.html
Eeek… I’m so anti trains 😉 I would love to see them when I go to town, but I grew up hearing the horn in the distance and while some people loved the sound, to me it was a constant reminder that I wasn’t far enough out in the middle of no-where.
Oh wow, Bethany would have loved this, she loves trains! Well done on all the gorgeous photos as always! x