44:19 The cab from Ka941 that Don Allan is sitting on in his basement is now at the Western Spring Railway in MOTAT, after he pass away in 2003. It was feathered in the 1974 NZBC documentary "Let there be Steam".

I love this video, I still have it today.

I’ve been looking for this for a very long time. Thank you so much

The scenery in these model railways are awesome. So many hours gone into each one. Thanks for making this video.

Amazing video

Wonderful! How I remember those days! The gray railway oies, and in sikud cuos you coujs srop from waist level without it breakjubg!

I've recently been introduced to this unique railway & loco via members of a Web forum here in the UK. I'm obsessed with this loco it's absolutely superb.

Got this on VHS x2

Thank you for this!!

The final use of the JA class steam locomotives in NZ should on any sensible or economically rational analysis should have been on standard Christchurch Oamaru freight in 1968-1977 were a JA with say 3/ 800 ton freights moving at an average speed of 25mph over the 153 miles/245km was more economical and convenient than 2DJ diesel hauled trains of 1200 ton moving at average speeds of 18/19mph which mile long consists blocked the streets and crossings for hours 9/5 in Temuka, Ashburton and Rakaia in 1969-75. Steam heating on the South Island Limited in April Nov 1969 and 1970 was only marginally necessary Christchurch Dunedin and vice versa particularly if a revised version of the 160/175 holiday express 9/5 timetable was used. In Dunedin it is only cold from the second week of May and even in the four winter months only on the half days and on a timetable 9.10am to 4.50pm steam heating would rarely be required although it certainly was on the Dunedin subies which they took the ABs off in mid 1968 and it took until Nov 1969 to fit 19/56ft carriages with the Waiarapa style carriage heaters. There were of course many serviceable overhauled AB and WW which could have been maintained to provided heated suburban services at 7.15am in the Dunedin winter because of course the suburban services lost 3/4 passengers in 1968/69 because of their absence and 12 heated 56 ft carriages would have been perfectly adequate for the 1970 South Island Limited and 1971 189/90. The justification for retaining 11J/JA for 189/190 in 1971 resolved arounds the Lions tours the 4/5 weekends of the Lancaster Park and Carrisbrook tests and the Canterbury, Otago and Southland Lions matches the hardest most violent rugby contests in NZ Rugby history and riding 189/190 on those consecutive weekends in May June 1971 would probably have been an epic experience for many Kiwi students and UK Lions following British Rugby tours It is know from NZ archives files that in 1965 4/5 good condition Wabs that could overhauled by Price or Hutt for continued coverage of Auckland suburban runs and the use of the oil fired JAs on even the longer suburban runs to Hellensville and Pokeno were the patronage was inadequate anyway would have been horrifically uneconomical. Probably the JA boilers and tenders should have been out into South Island JA/J's many of which built in 1940-49 were already worn out by 1965. What I call the Canterbury and Southland batch South Island JA completed 1950-56 at Hillside were of vastly better quality steel and really those last 20 south Island JA were hardly worn or used when withdrawn after 12-20 years service in 1969-71.

Best New Zealand steam railway documentary, the film portion on Auckland steam suburban and tram system dates from about 1955, the South Island film footage is few years later, the commentary about 1965 like some of Southland footage.

Great documentary, seen it countless times. The best part is the end where the KBs head up Arthurs Pass, a stunning site indeed.

I haven't seen this for a long time, it is indeed a great video. I still have the VHS box set that also included the Raurimu Spiral and South Island Steam videos but am presently unable to watch them. Do you by chance have the "South Island Steam" documentary in digital form? It would also be great to see. Cheers.

I haven’t seen this for a long time. Many faces in this show now no longer with us but this is a great reminder of how our railway was back in the 90’s.

awesome video so informative .. more please

Great video watched from start to finish

it seems you could have done whole thing in 2wd.

is there a road on the other side of takapari road past a-frame?

Hi mate just wondering the track will get harder if it rains I mean like quite heavy rain? Cheers

How long ago did you do the track? It looks to be in good condition

Which way did you get in? Cheers