Glenbrook Vintage Railway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) is a steam railway in Glenbrook, New Zealand. It is not a museum as such, but rather a fully self-supporting, operating steam railway, built almost entirely by volunteer labour. It is an ongoing project, with items being collected and restored or replicated as time, labour and finance permit.
The GVR is run by a Trust Board, comprising three trustees elected and appointed from the Railway Enthusiasts Society membership. The Board appoints a General Manager who is responsible for the day to day operation of the GVR. The 6 km long railway carries up to 30,000 passengers during the normal-operating season which is from October-to-June each year and is also available for charter throughout the year.
There is a project currently being undertaken to extend the railway line to Waiuku.
The Railway is staffed and maintained by volunteers and RES membership provides automatic access to all activities as a volunteer. Special Events are often held, such as "Friends of Thomas" (the tank engine) weekends and Country and Western days.
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[edit] History
The GVR is based on part of the old Waiuku branch line which opened in 1922 and closed in 1967. Construction of the GVR began in 1970 and in 1977 the railway opened between Glenbrook and Pukeoware. In 1986 an extension was completed to Fernleigh the current terminus, 6 km from Glenbrook.
1,000,000 passengers have now travelled on the G.V.R. as of the 7th January 2007.
[edit] Locomotives
[edit] Steam
The GVR steam roster currently comprises:
- No. 1 (Ex-NZR WW 480) - operational
- JA 1250 "Diana" (Ex-NZR) owned by Phil Goldman - operational
- WW 644 (GVR No. 2) - Overhaul is completed and the locomotive has been returned to service.
- No. 4 (Ex-Taupo Totara Timber Co. Mallet No. 7) - out of service awaiting overhaul
- AB 832 (Ex-NZR) - awaiting restoration.
- F 233 (Ex-NZR) - awaiting restoration.
[edit] Diesel
The diesel roster used mainly for Ways and Works purposes, comprises:
- No. 3 (Ex-M.O.W.) - operational.
- No. 7 (Ex-NZR DS 207) - operational
- No. 8 (DE 507) - operational, also used for occasional passenger service.
- No. 9 (DE 509) - stored awaiting restoration.
- No. 10 (Ex-NZR DSA 243) - operational