Down-Under 2018

[G-force1]

I promised you all this thread some weeks ago. I've had to shift a large amount of 'domesticity' to get this far. It will only be a start, i.e. more will follow as time allows.

In the vein of many of our hols this was to be a tour of places we hadn't seen before, or places we just had to see again, because we happened to be near enough. It also allowed some viisiting of folks we knew and hadn't seen for some years and a couple that we hadn't actually met before.

Our usual ploy is to book flights, a car, and first and last nights accommodation and that's all. To do this in NZ is particularly easy as there are loads and loads of places to stay, from homely B&Bs to big Hotels. Your choice, totally.

There were a couple of minor hiccoughs at tthe start of the process, as 'Trousers' has 'preferences'. She usually does all the booking and sorting out, and we always try to have a stop-over en-route when going that far to break up the jet-lag. Firstly, she insisted that we flew on Airbus A380s as much as possible and got in a knot so passed that job over to the Flight-Centre. Those of you that have tried these planes will understand why, if you haven't, then try one. (Note particularly, that I wasn't disagreeing.)

The F/C came back with an itinery with stop-overs in places we'd already been, so after a lot of argy-bargy eventually came up with Perth W.A. for the way out and Bangkok, Thailand, for the return (both routed through Dubai). Her plane insistance/preference then caused a small hiatus and the end result was, Manc - Dubai - Perth (4 nights) - Melbourne - Auckland. Return, Auckland - Sydney (3 nights) - Bangkok (4 nights) - Dubai - Manc. Sydney was a real bonus. We've been before and really liked it, and I have a long time bezzy mate who lives an couple of hours south and he (and his SWMBO) were able to join us at the hotel for 2 nights.

Right, I think the scene is reasonably set, never mind Dubai (there's not a lot there for rail men), let's start with Perth.

It was HOT! Mostly, probably, because home was cold, it takes a bit to acclimatise. A wander around took us down to the coast and there was some sort of 'Festival' or other being set up, in amongst that, was this little lady.



Sorry, that's a tram! They do run on rails though!

The day after we took a trip on the river, down to 'Freeo' (Freemantle), and a short guided tour ending up near the station, There's quite a lot to see there depending on your taste, including a maritime museum which unfortunately we felt we didn't have time for. Such is this type of tour, time is best managed carefully.




To get back to Perth you have a choice, you can get the boat back or like we did, get the train, don't be late you won't have time for photos!

Next day we had arranged to meet up with a very delectable young lady, who was my eldest's Bridesmaid in Bali in 2011.

No picture again I'm afraid, I wouldn't want you to get all worked up!

Next stop, Auckland, in the 'Land of the long white cloud'.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Agree with the A380 comments. Although, there are A380s, and there are A380s. Qantas and Emrites ones beat the British Airways ones hands down.



No rail action in Dubai, huh. Well, this was never going anywhere, it is inside DBX transit lounge.... down by the Bar, and that famous Scottish restaurant. Paid for my beer in Euros, got change in local currency, so it was Maccas to spend the change. My missus too, likes to break down the long journeys, not that I mind, and in fact we have found some little gems in doing so.

Awaiting your next dozen posts on your trip of a lifetime.

 

[PhilP]

Thought you were going to say that was inside an A380!

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Thought you were going to say that was inside an A380!

Well, I never got to look upstairs on any of the 380s.......

 

[Gavin Sowry]

This, believe it or not, is a BA A380 (LAX-LHR), with me inside, flying over my sister in laws place. Inconsiderate pilot, wouldn't stop off so we could have a coffee. Great things those in flight screens, and on this leg, was probably the best entertainment going.

Airport code for Sioux City is SUX. When the FAA thought that was inappropriate, the locals kicked up a stink....... got the Fly SUX t-shirt. Same airport where the DC-10 from Denver crashed after it lost all its controls. Skilled pilot flew on variable engine thrusts. Sioux Tower to DC-10, clear to land on main runway.
Pilot. You want me to land on a runway? (He was going to drop it on I-29, if he could.

 

[G-force1]

There are more posts on here by others than by me!

Auckland and beyond. This was our third trip to NZ, and we'd seen Auckland each time, so apart from another trip up the Skytower for the views, we headed off to see One Tree Hill (VERY windy) and then to see another rather delectable young lady (no pic. behave!) who once lived near us and has made herself a lovely life just to the north of Auckland. Obviously there is train stuff in the area but we were really heading on our way further north, as we'd decided to go anti-clock round North Island. (South Island was done on our last trip).

The next over-night stop was to be Bay of Islands, again we'd been before, but not for long enough, and whilst I try never to push "train things" onto 'Trousers' she does let me have my way a reasonable amount. Just short of Paihia is Kawakawa and the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway. Just to prove that whilst it may have been warm, it certainly still knows how to rain in NZ.







The problem here was that it wasn't a running day so whilst plenty of photos can be taken (if you don't mind getting wet), the best, along with a ride, are not available.

The last usable shot from here is the station exit back onto the main road, that's the ROAD as opposed to 'line'. As can be seen it runs up the middle of the street.



It took a few days more to get rid of the rough weather, but it is warm rain!

 

[G-force1]

From Paihia on we saw little trainy stuff, but plenty of rainy stuff, as we worked on to our next overnight at Awanui, then next day right up to Cape Reinga, the northerly most point in NZ. We did the most southerly, Slope Point on our last visit in 2010. Cape Reinga was a washout, literally, the day started fine but overcast and as we got to the cape the sky fell to the floor, visibilty virtually ZERO, so a bit of a waste of time, but at least we got there.



We beat a retreat back down the peninsular taking a look at 90 Mile Beach on the way. Notice the change in the weather!



Only safe-ish 2 hours either side of low tide, but stil considered one of the main roads!

The next bit of interest to us folks was probably this fella, I thnk it was in Hellensville.



Obviously plinthed, and in need of a serious restoration, but at least not scrapped! A real 'one day' project for someone. A cracking beasty!



A quick shot of Hellenville Station, with covered sheep/cattle dock.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

View attachment 234716

A quick shot of Hellenville Station, with covered sheep/cattle dock.

Interesting interpretation. That is in fact just a raised passenger platform for the short lived Railcar service than ran to there. Use it, or lose it.... they lost it.

Sorry about hijacking your thread, but opportunity to comment on A380s was too good to pass up.

 

[G-force1]

Interesting interpretation. That is in fact just a raised passenger platform for the short lived Railcar service than ran to there. Use it, or lose it.... they lost it.
.

Like I said then? Cattle class!

 

[Miamigo259]

The next bit of interest to us folks was probably this fella, I thnk it was in Hellensville.

View attachment 234715

Obviously plinthed, and in need of a serious restoration, but at least not scrapped! A real 'one day' project for someone. A cracking beasty!

Thats an NZR D class 2-4-0T built by Neilson in 1881.

Saw one in rather better condition on the Pleasant Point Railway in 1993........

 

[G-force1]

Obviously as we went round we had to do a lot of stuff that 'Trousers' wanted but that didn't mean that I didn't too. We did visit Tongariro National Park right in the volcanic centre and we took a light plane flight over the craters. VERY impressive!



Not cheap, but something you jus' godda do when you get the chance.



We then moved on to Whanganui which is back on the coast with another stop-off for me, and a trip up river on the Waimarie -



A pleasant interlude, if a little breazy on the river. As I was seen to be showing interest, I was invited down into th engine room, where I had quite a chat with the stoker and engineer. Seems they have only been burning soft coal and making a lot of smoke. They had thought of trying steam coal but stiil needed a little more encouragement, which I was happy to provide. Unfortunately the engine room was too cramped for decent photos. Apparently the old girl was sunk in the river for many years and it took a herculian effort to get her raised and back into service, but I reckon they did a stirling job.

Alongside the dock is another small museum for the local tramway -



I forgot to check out it's opening hours but 'twas defo shut while we were there.

 

[G-force1]

We did come across a couple of 7 1/4" gauge railways such as this,





We also visited a couple of sawmills, one a very interesting museum to the Kauri Tree industry, at Matakohe, and then this one, which was much closer to Wellington.



All the employees were seemingly very hard at work! Then along came the 'Hand-of-God' and lifted the roof off.




I have waxed lyrical about this railway from afar, now I got to see it close up! It is every bit as stunning in the flesh. The only difference is that you can see what fits where, much better. One big advantage for an old git like me is that a lot can be seen from a full standing position as JR's patio is on a lower level than the track. I took too many pics to down load them all on here so I will just give you a selection.. Some have been 'doctored' as when at ground level, I seemed to have a bad list to starboard!

 

[G-force1]

There may also be a touch of OoF in these, it was after all, after my dice with death off the rock while taking waterfall pics and the camera took a heck of a thump.

 

[G-force1]

After JR's we headed a little further south and into Wellington proper. We had a couple of days there with a quick family visit thrown in. A 6th cousin, who we'd visited last time we were there. How do I happen to know a sixth cousin? Long story, not really for here.



Again there is plenty of rail stuff around the area, including this which Gav posted a photo of a week or three ago, but we saw that last time too, so next major stop was to be Napier, but a couple of smaller stop offs on the way, the first being Gavin's, a little north of Welly but on the east side of JR's. With both these railways I certainly didn't attempt to better the photos that these guys post themselves, they have first-hand knowledge and know the best spots. I just shot the bits that attracted me at the time. Unfortunately my list to Starboard was even worse that day. I blame the leg! So adjusted in P/Shop



I liked this because it is J&S coaches like those that I'm currently 'adjusting' to T.V.B.L. standards. Again there's far too many photos to post them all, so a selection is all you get.



This is my favourlite corner of gav's railway, I think it's the trees that does it for me.





A little bit of sun reflection spoils this shot, but I still like the atmosphere, and it's probably my second favourite spot at Gav's. Lets just call it smoke!



This one is lacking a little foreground, but there's why!



Probably the worst case of 'list' that day, roughly 8 degs.

 

[Paradise]

Kind of like...

 

[Gavin Sowry]

The similarities have long been noticed in these parts.

Different gauge, and builders, though. Our one is smaller, too.

 

[G-force1]

Just one last shot from Gav's as we had to move on to Napier. I must say that Gav's ladies kept 'Trousers' out of our hair that morning excellently, we were allowed to play/test for positively ages.



On the way to Napier we found time to visit the Fell Museum at Featherston and the only remaining steam powered Fell loco that tackled the Rimutaka incline. Well worth the time, with an interesting video of the operations.



Unusual too with outside link valve gear.

There is also a 7 1/4" G track a short walk away,



Napier is an interesting city, rebuilt after a major earthquake in the 1930s it naturally gained a lot of Art Deco architecture as that was the vogue at that time. Naturally that is taken advantage of for the tourist with car trips etc, in a wide selection of period cars, and drivers in costume of the day.

 

[G-force1]

To continue, as I have a little more time ATM, in Napier here is a TRAIN WORLD . . . .



I was warned, but indulged anyway. It could best be described as slightly expensive for the fare available, but reasonably interesting despite that.

The first surprise was the railway round the floor (upstairs),



7/4" no less. Not the only indoor one that I know of, but fairly rare for all that.





There are three or four more conventional layouts inside.

From Napier, we headed inland again to Taupo, en-route to Rotorua which was a repeat 'must see'. There was what I shall describe as an "imitation" railway in the park that did not warrant even a digital photo. but we did spot this slightly appropriate sight.



I wonder if Mr Douglas would approve?

Rotorua is a place full of volcanic 'evidence', mostly in the air (the smell of sulphur). If you look not too closely you will find steaming lakes and bubbling mud with steam escapes all around. The city park is a good place to start and of course it's free. There are several places around there that aren't free but still no less worthy of viewing, we decided on one a bit further away which we didn't visit before, at Orakei Korako, as we would pass it on the way to Rotorua.



This next one is the lake in the park at Rotorua. Remember the temp here was in the high 20's so to see the steam coming off the lake like this was amazing.



The next railway we visited I've forgotten where it was, so It'll have to wait 'til after I've had a conflab with 'Trousers'.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Post the photo, and I'll give you a lead.....

 

[G-force1]

Ahha! Problem solved! It seems there has been a faux-pax within the camera. Piccies are out of order. I may (though I don't think so) have deleted some poor shots and it decided to re-fill the numbers. Anyway we continued all the way to Tauranga and stayed at Mount Manganui, so the railway wasn't that day at all but the next. There was some logging train activity in the area of the port, but I wasn't allowed to stop. Mustn't push these things!

The train referred to before, which certainly Gav would have I.D.ed, is the Goldfields Railway at Waihi.



Interesting and well worth a look and a ride if you have time (we didn't).





There are quite a few bits and pieces laying round the site.







There is also a 7 1/4" railway that I couldn't find anything out about at the time, but will make noises to find out more, as it looked really well laid. It seemed to come out of the garden of one of the nearby houses.
(the spur leading left off the end of the platform)



All for now I need to extract some more photos from the pile.