Da 1431 on Tararua Scenic Daylight/ visit to Paihiatua Railcar Society

On 30 April 2011, Da 1431 appears on the mainline for the first time in many years after major refurbishment, on the Tararua Scenic Daylight, a partial recreation of the classic Da hauled 'Scenic Daylight' Summertime Express that ran from the 1960s to 1972 between Auckland and Wellington. (See also my video of the model of the same train to 'Theme From A Summer Place') The original train would well have sometimes originally traversed the Wairarapa as this Steam Inc special did, if there was a derailment or line blockage between Wellington and Palmerston North.
This trip was a 'round the block' one -- Paekakariki to Wellington, then to Palmerston North via Masterton and Woodville - the Wairarapa Line, traversing the 8.8km long Rimutaka Tunnel. This included a 30 minute visit to Paihiatua Railcar Soceity, owners of the classic Standard railcar, RM31 'Tokomaru', as well as being restored Wairarapa railcar RM5 'Mahuhu and Fiat Twinset 88 seat railcar RM121.

Da 1431 is a G-12, built by EMD in Granville, NSW, Australia, one of ten built there for NZR, entering service in April 1957, one of the one time 145 strong fleet of Da class, all operating North Island only. The loco was withdrawn from service in 1988 and sold to Steam Incorporated along with classmate (built by GMD, Canada) Da 1410. A total of 7 Da's still exist, with 5 of those preserved, and hopefully the other two will do too. Power plant; EMD 567E V-12, 567 cubic inch per cylinder, 1425hp. Weight; 78 tonnes.

The Standard Railcars were a fleet of just six , built at NZR's Hutt workshops near Wellington, in 1938-39. Numbered RM30 to 35, all were named after Maori canoes. The swept back styling was a contemporary French styling of the era when long distance self propelled rail vehicles were quickly coming in vogue, much cleaner and faster than steam trains they replaced. In operation on the North Island until late 1972, they were fast, reliable and popular. The class leader, RM30 'Aotea' still holds the fastest timing on the main trunk route between Auckland and Wellington, achieved in 1967. Four of the fleet survive in preservation, these being RM30, RM31 'Tokomaru' as seen here, RM32 'Pangatoru' and RM34 'Tainui.'

Clips include in the Rimutaka tunnel (the throaty exhaust being heard clearly inside the carriage), Mauriceville, Ekatahuna, Paihiatua with RM31, Manawatu gorge and finally Otaki River bridge. The video is not the best sorry, and my poor little Nikon's mic just couldn't cope with the throaty blat of a 567 in full pelt! It's a sassy sound you don't just hear, but feel!

A big credit to Steam Inc for the immaculate appearance of Da 1431.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• steam
• incorporated
• da1431
• standard
• railcar
• rm
• 31
• tokomaru
• scenic
• daylight

[moengaroa74]

I remember this Da well from Westfield Diesel Depot in 1987 was former TMS number Da 345 my mate and I were asked to paint it at the time.We painted it in the red colours didn't have white paint at the time for the wings so improvised used silver paint with black outlines.Great to see her still going.

[dx5051]

nice video:great to see DA1431 back on the rails

[dx5195]

Great video, like New Zealand Railways 40 years ago!