Glenbrook Vintage Railway
| Glenbrook Vintage Railway | |
|---|---|
JA1250 leads a passenger train on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway at the railway's workshops, 3 January 2008.
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| Locale |
Glenbrook, Auckland,  New Zealand
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| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Part of the Waiuku branch line |
| Built by | New Zealand Government Railways |
| Original gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | Glenbrook Vintage Railway Trust Board |
| Stations | Five |
| Length | 7.4 km |
| Preserved gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1922 |
| Closed | 1967 |
| Preservation history | |
| Reopened | 1977 |
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) is a heritage steam railway in Glenbrook, New Zealand. It is a fully self-supporting operating steam railway, built almost entirely by volunteer labour. It is an ongoing project, with items being collected and restored or replicated as time, labour and finance permit.
The GVR is run by a trust board of three trustees elected and appointed from Railway Enthusiasts Society (RES) membership. The board appoints a general manager who is responsible for day-to-day operation. The 7.4 km (4.6 mi) long railway carries up to 30,000 passengers during the normal operating season, which is from October to June, and is also available for charter throughout the year.
There is a project being undertaken to extend the railway to the Tamakae Reserve in Waiuku.
The railway is staffed and maintained by volunteers and RES membership provides automatic access to all activities as a volunteer. Special Events are often held, such as "Friends of Thomas" (the tank engine) weekends, Railfan Days (with display freight trains and other unique consists), Country and Western days and night steam runs.
The GVR is based on part of the old Waiuku branch line which opened in 1922 and closed from Glenbrook to Waiuku in 1967.
The initial concept for a steam-powered tourist railway was initiated when the New Zealand Government Railways announced closure of the line, which was a popular route for excursions operated by the RES. Re-construction of the GVR began in 1970, slashing back overgrown gorse that had covered the line, renewing rail and building the Pukeoware Depot and the terminus at Glenbrook.
Delivery of items of rolling stock included the "delivery" rail-tours bringing the steam locomotive fleet from the South Island back to Auckland for use at Glenbrook. Carriages were sourced out of stock being retired from the Auckland commuter network at the time, and in some cases (such as carriage "Manukura"), where the item of rolling stock had sentimental value to the members of the RES.
In 1977 the railway opened between Glenbrook and Pukeoware. Early services over the railway used the line's ex-Ministry of Works Ruston diesel (later GVR NO 3), a motor trolley, and several material trolleys fitted with longitudal seats. For the first proper services, steam locomotive NO 1 (formerly WW 480) was used with two carriages, a guard's van and an open car.
In 1985, JA 1250 (along with KA 945) hauled the first mainline steam excursion from Auckland to Wellington and return. This was the first steam excursion to run after NZR lifted their ban on steam traction.
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Wikipedia