Steam train in the snow at Arthur's Pass

[JimTLonW6]

Very spectacular, not the best of weather for videos either! Do they allow steam through the Otira tunnel? I'd have thought there would be distinct problems with ventilation.

[ajpjayz]

@JimTLonW6 Good point, but this engine did go through in both directions. Otira tunnel has an inventive ventilation system which must work just about well enough for the odd steamer. I travelled on the footplate just after this video was shot and went through two smaller tunnels and I have to say it was less than comfortable!

[Varinki]

@JimTLonW6 They are usually pulled through by a diesel now and the electrics in the past but they have run without them occasionally going to Otira from Arthurs Pass. Although I do know of one occasion when a Uc was sent through the tunnel to Arthurs Pass without assistance. It took 50 minutes for the Uc to pull itself and a disabled railcar up the 1/33 grade through the tunnel.

[JimTLonW6]

@Varinki Thanks for your note! I don't think it's something I'd want to try. In the most notorious British Tunnel it was double track, and occasionally the crew had to abandon the footplate and get down to the track simply in order to breathe. I am sure that's not an option in Otira.

[robmcg567]

Fantastic ...I owned a place in Springfield and that weather at Arthurs was so hard sometimes.

[luckyowl249]

Really great. Thanks!

[TheDarkFalcon]

yeah that was awsum but wat was it recorded on :|

[millsy351]

fuck that would've looked amazing on Super8 footage.

[nickwa165wa165]

AWSOM