Righto!!
I have worked 9 days straight, I have one more to go then 1 day off followed by 4 more and then I get a 4 day break!
Madness I tell ya!! (must be milk season)

After several attempts at writing a post following the tantrum that the computer threw last week, toys were thrown and sulk mode was activated in quick succession. 10 days on and the ol' PC seems as stable as a rock so I will strike while the goings good..... 
Picture
526 with three DC's on the front.
I guess there is a bit to catch up on, so I will start with the current power allocated to run 526..... 3 DC's!! 
Yes its true, as per the loco allocation sheet, 526 has run every day this week with a ratbag lashup of DC's 4231, 4041 and 4058. Last week 4064 was on the front prior to 4231.
I really couldnt believe it. I Got to Kai Iwi last Monday morning and lo and behold, not 1 or 2, but 3 old dungers gracing the front of my 526 ! Woot lol.
 
And seeing as tho I spend 90% of my time driving nice quiet (in the cab) DXB's, having to fight my way through the rust and cobwebs of the old girl on the pointy end was a bit of a shock. Gee did that DC feel OLD - 100% as rebuilt straight out of 1979 (apart from the radio).
 
It was all good though, as the sweet sound of three naturally aspirated 12 cylinder 645's reverberating off the hills was just music to the ears :-)

Long may it continue!
I also missed a primo chance to get a photo of freshly repainted DC 4692! It had been raining all night and was raining when I left the depot, so I thought it pointless taking my camera with me and left it behind. 
Well bugger me if the sun wasnt shining gloriously at Stratford, and there bathing in the sweet morning light was an eye burningly fresh 4692.... 
Bugger...
Also of note is progress on the new loop at Manutahi, or lack of it....
Internal politics have resulted in work all but ceasing in fast fashion following a site visit by union reps and company officials. 
Seems there is a "difference of opinion" on what should be happening and what actually is..... 
No doubt it will all come out in the wash.
And below are some random photos from the last couple of weeks.
Picture
The office. A nice comfy DXB cab.
Picture
521 at Whareroa with a gaggle of DC's on the pointy end..
Picture
526 a couple of weeks back at a secret location :-)
And below, in pure randomness is a photo taken wayyyyy back in 2004 showing the then evolution of mainline freight loco paint schemes... red, blue, black, green..
Picture
530 at Stratford.
And to close out this rather disjointed post is a photo of a silly little tank wagon, complete with semi sepia tone, taken at Westfeild some time in the mid 1990's - I think...
(it may also be the wellington ferry terminal too....)
Picture
Tank wagon, from the "silly little" class.
:-)

AH
William R
10/20/2011 09:12:40 am

Mmmmm love that first shot.Keep em' coming!

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SteveF
10/20/2011 01:49:36 pm

Again, again, absolutely fabuloso Andrew. Classic shot of the 4 liveries together - one for the history books. Love the little tanker too, the sort of thing that gets modelled to add a curiosity. And totally agree with WilliamR - that first shot is a cracker. What is the wagon immediately aft of the power? Looks like an old gas tanker?

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AH
10/20/2011 02:43:17 pm

Thanks Steve and William :-)

The wagon in question is UCG lpg gas wagon. There are only 4 of them, and they get loaded at Palmer Road on the Kapuni Branch.

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