Omoto Oddyssey...

This is a story I was going to post about a year or so ago, but have been sidetracked with other projects, items, etc. and have thus neglected to do so.

This is a story from New Zealand (David's neck of the woods) about a group of people who decided to rescue and restore three steam locomotives that were dumped in the Grey River back in the 1950s., or thereabouts. There's also the story of Tony Batchelor, who has privately been aquiring parts of old steam locomotives to eventually build one or two versions of some of the BIG "kiwi" locomotives (mainly he's been digging around in old rock quarries... also where "surpluss" engines were dumpted).


Here's a link to the menu for the whole story...
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/whitebus ... alvage.htm


Here's the link to a roster of wagons located at or near the salvage site...
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/whitebus ... n_list.htm


Here's the diary the guys kept...
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/whitebus ... events.htm


Here's the pre-salvage info. and photos...
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/whitebus ... alvage.htm


Here's info. and photos during the salvage operation...
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/whitebus ... alvage.htm


And finally, here's the link to Tony Batchelor's story....
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/whitebus ... _story.htm


I'm sure David can provide a bit more background information about this story. I'm also going to see if I can contact the group that did the salvage operation, and maybe Mr. Batchelor, and see if they would be willing to comment on this story.

Also, the group has also released a region free DVD about their oddyssey, so you, too, can experience the highs and lows of thier adventure... albeit vicariously from your armchair.

Enjoy.

Hi Folks!

Thanks for the invitation to join this forum. If you want to know anything about the "Omoto Sisters" just ask.

I will pass the message onto Tony B. and get him to join the group as well.
He'll be able to tell you a lot from his experiences.

Best wishes,

Adam
WHITE BUS FAMILY PRODUCTIONS
www.whitebusfamily.netfirms.com
(New Zealand)

Fascinating stuff .
It appears the dumping of old locos was more common in the south island , than the north . Possibly this was due to mant north island locos been sent to the more lightly trafficked south island lines to finish off thier working days .
Certainly i dont think the North island rivers and beacjhes were any less erosive than the south island ones . It seems its more common to use rolling stock up this way , rather than locomotives .
I guess the fact that NZ did not have a steel mill until the 1950's (???) , would have meant that in the early days , scrap value would be less the cost of shipping o Australia , or other markets . I would say the scrap vlaue was therefore negligble .
Anyway , gereat to read some background to the preservation efforts .

Adam,

It's certianly a pleasure to have you here with us and look forward to future discussions with you and Mr. Batchelor.

The biggest questions on my mind concern the feasibility studies that were performed (or were to have been performed) to see what the feasibility of restoring the "sisters" to working order, namely Uc 369 and Uc 370 and what the verdict is on La 312 as to what degree of restoration it will ever receive... if it will forever remain static, or if it will ever be made to steam again, sometime in the future? Just currious as to what the level of progress is on the restoration work at this point.

All work has focused on the building of the shed. The Midland Rail Heritage Trust was supposed to have had this erected soon after the loco’s were lifted, but with one thing and another it hasn’t happened… yet!

Once the shed is up things will start to happen. Remember, it’s a huge project and one which will take years not days to complete, and it is still early days.

The Midland Rail Heritage Trust will restore the two Uc’s for use by their Trust, and although the future of La312 remains slightly obscured just now, it is likely she will become a static display with the way for a full restoration open at all times. We have plenty of big ideas (don’t we all!) but nothing can become real until the Midland Rail Heritage Trust builds their workshops at Springfield.

For those doubters the mountain air is an excellent preserver… and as has been said many a time already, they are better OUT of the river than left in it. Left in the river they’d have been lost forever. At least where they are and even in their present condition, they are an awe-inspiring link to our national heritage. Rusty as they are, they are truly something to be proud of.

Best wishes,

Adam Reeve
WHITE BUS FAMILY PRODUCTIONS

Adam,

Any news of progress on your or Tony's projects? Just currious.

one rumor going round the local yahoo discussion groups , is that a new loco has been uncovered by flooding in the alps . it seems it may be one of the original wellington and manawatu railways locos , so of american origin . wellingto and manawatu was the only private railroad of any size in the colonial times .

Intersting,

I actually did a search online for info. on the Wellington and Manawatu and found an interesting tidbit about its engine number ten. In 1892 (July 20 to be exact), it broke the world speed record for a 3'6" guage locomotive/train at the time with a speed of 64 mph.

Got that off the W&M Trust website. You can read more here...

http://www.wmry.netfirms.com/index.htm


Interesting to know what, exactly, Mr. Bachelor found... maybe the elusive number 10? Anotehr W&M locomotive? Something else?

Tony, if you're out in the audience, we'd love to hear from you about this discovery.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Antiques-colle ... 927852.htm

from an F class engine , in the same area as the omoto discoveries .

Also a link to austin Devon's listings on the same site , readers may find some of these dvd's interesting .
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listin ... ber=658398