My Grandfather was a steam train driver named Frank Houten who also got to drive the railcar , he was based in Woodville but he sadly died from lung cancer, they say he got it from driving the coal fired steam trains through the tunnels. I remember Grandad letting me try to shovel some coal into the boiler, when I was lucky enough to ride up front with him. My father Les Raikes was station master in National Park in the late 60's and a over night railcar service from Auckland to Wellinton called the "Blue Streak" used to pass through.
Me too. This was a documentary series produced by TVNZ. They'll still have it in their archives but it would cost a fortune to get a copy. Hopefully someone has the full, un-edited cut that they can upload.
@@sw6188 my grandfather used to tape everything locomotive related from the TV back in the day. I wonder if my folks have any of his old tapes in a box somewhere.
@@RatelHBadger See what you can find. If you need it to be digitized from VHS (or any other format) just reply to me as I have the gear set up and ready to go.
My Grandfather was a steam train driver named Frank Houten who also got to drive the railcar , he was based in Woodville but he sadly died from lung cancer, they say he got it from driving the coal fired steam trains through the tunnels. I remember Grandad letting me try to shovel some coal into the boiler, when I was lucky enough to ride up front with him. My father Les Raikes was station master in National Park in the late 60's and a over night railcar service from Auckland to Wellinton called the "Blue Streak" used to pass through.
NZR crockery was in a class of its own. Never seen anything so heavy duty since!
YEP TAURAMANUI WAS THE MAIN STOP FOR A CUP OF TEA AND PIES
Paul Holmes and Merv Smith both sadly no longer with us.
Awesome watch. Thanks for uploading!
Amazing a country with a small population could achieve so much.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Priceless
Yes, thought it was well worth sharing.
5:47 is Bill Rumble not the best name for an engine driver?
Not much of a mention of the feats of the electric rail through the tunnel and longest tunnel in the British Empire in the Otira tunnel at that time.
Would love to see the full documentary, without the sudden jump cuts about the place.
Me too. This was a documentary series produced by TVNZ. They'll still have it in their archives but it would cost a fortune to get a copy. Hopefully someone has the full, un-edited cut that they can upload.
@@sw6188 there will be some enthusiast who has recorded it onto VHS from the TV. Paul Holmes looks so young!
@@RatelHBadger Yes, someone will have it. Now it's just a matter of finding them!
@@sw6188 my grandfather used to tape everything locomotive related from the TV back in the day. I wonder if my folks have any of his old tapes in a box somewhere.
@@RatelHBadger See what you can find. If you need it to be digitized from VHS (or any other format) just reply to me as I have the gear set up and ready to go.
19:13
Don't forget the Silver Star was full of blue asbestos- maybe it's better in Malaysia.