Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

Society Members and Equipment "Acquit Themselves With Distinction" at Waipara Vintage Festival

22/9/99

On 11 September 1999, the Weka Pass Railway of Waipara, North Canterbury, celebrated the official opening of its track extension to Waikari. This event saw several trains operated in which the Ferrymead Railway's steam locomotive WD 357 and carriages AF 863 and A 516 participated. During the following week a number of special trains were operated mainly for photographic purposes, and on the weekend of September 18 and 19, the 3rd Waipara Vintage Festival operated for the public with the WD, A and AF in addition to another Ferrymead Railway locomotive, F 13, and a number of visiting and Weka Pass Railway locomotives and carriages. The Festival was a popular and successful event as well as generating useful revenue for the Canterbury Railway Society, and marking a new era of co-operation with the Weka Pass Railway.

Ferrymead Railway Traffic Manager Colin Dash, thanking the members for their efforts, stated "We can be proud of the participation and the appearance of our staff and equipment". Bruce Shalders, President of the Canterbury Railway Society, added "Thankyou to all those who contributed to the success of our visit to North Canterbury, not just during the weekend, but for several weeks beforehand organising, repairing, cleaning and ensuring all was ready. The spirit of co-operation evident between the Canterbury Railway Society and the Weka Pass Railway bodes well for the future of such exercises and our thanks go to the Weka Pass Railway for the invitation to attend and for their hospitality during the event".

WD 357 en route to opening the WPR - C Dash	F 13 raising steam at the Festival - P Dunford