Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

WD Anniversary Commemorated

16/7/01

The Canterbury Railway Society, owners of steam locomotive WD 357, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the locomotive on the weekend of 14th and 15th July, 2001.

One of a class of 18 locomotives, 357 was built by Burnham, Williams & Co Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia USA in July 1901, their number 19261. Entering service in December of that year, early duties for 357 were working local trains in the Christchurch area. It was later sent to the Dunedin area where it was withdrawn from service in 1935.

After its sale to the Timaru Harbour Board it was used extensively in their quarry at Gleniti until the late 1950s when a diesel locomotive was acquired. It was then steamed occasionally until 1964.

In 1966, WD 357 was donated to the Canterbury Branch NZRLS for use at Ferrymead and was transported by road to Christchurch. It became the first locomotive in steam at Ferrymead Railway on 11 March, 1967, continuing to run until the boiler ticket expired. After some years stored unserviceable, 357 was restored to full operating condition in 1987 - 89 and participated in the 1988 Ferrymead 125 festival in steamable condition, with further major repairs completed in the mid 1990s.

On Saturday the 14th, the WD ran a passenger service on the Ferrymead Railway, which is not normally done at this time of year. Around 150 people visited the park that day. The station tearooms were open and we had a sausage sizzle on the platform. A feature of train running throughout the weekend was vintage 4 wheel guard's van F 79. Trolley rides on motor and hand trolleys were also offered to paying passengers.

In the evening a special night photographic shoot was held. Photographers were charged $5 and a number of special consists were set up. We also had a night passenger run to Ferrymead Station and back.

Sunday 15th saw the passenger train and trolleys in operation again all day. At 2.00 pm we held a special ceremony on the Moorhouse station platform with several speakers. Euan McQueen from Rail Heritage Trust attended and spoke about the work of his organisation in New Zealand.

Moorhouse Station waiting room was used throughout the weekend to display photographs and other information about the history of the WD locomotive. We note that parts of another WD were recovered recently in the North Island and wonder if it will be restored one day.