Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

Ferrymead Railway Diesel Fleet Grows and Goes

24/10/99

Railcars:

RM 51 has had gearbox repairs completed with the help of experts from Plains Railway. The railcar has re-entered service after more than a year of inactivity. RM 56 (owned by the National Federation of Railway Societies) has maintained the passenger services during 51's absence despite several faults which include a leaking radiator, leaking overhead water tank and compressor failure. The railcar is to receive a repaint, the first in 12 years, and funding has been obtained from its owners for this purpose. With 51 back in service, RM 56 will have repair work and a service check done to have it ready for the summer holiday period. RM 57 is also being worked on for the first time in a number of years. 57 was non operational when it arrived at Ferrymead with major engine problems and has been in storage ever since. Control panels are being rewired and the engine, which has been worked on several times by different teams, will require two new cylinder liners and pistons.

Locomotives:

TR 54 (Hudswell Clarke), which arrived at the site in 1967, is being repainted. The tiny four ton 70 hp locomotive has not operated for some 15 years and has been in storage. The engine is locked solid and, when time permits, the heads will be removed to determine the cause. TR 156, a recent arrival, has received a new paint job as well as attention to the Gardner motor and the fitting of a starter motor and compressor, both items having been removed while the loco was stored at Wellington. The locomotive was started for the first time a few months ago, and has now entered service. Since that time it has operated one passenger service. It has also received routine engine maintenance and will now start reliably on its batteries. TR 156 will be operated at Ferrymead during the school holidays on January 2nd & 30th. TR 22 has recently had a broken spring in the forward/reverse mechanism replaced and is to have a broken window repaired, and possibly a repaint.