Ngaire introduced us to Barry Reynolds who spoke to us on train driving. Barry circulated some documents including one commendation and one reprimand. Barry enjoyed every minute working for the railways. He spoke to us about the Tangiwai disaster. He wished later that he'd never gone. His Dad hosted two young men that had been in the first carriage with Barry's brother. Their experiences is what attracted Barry to work for the Railways.
In readiness for the 1958 flood Barry was amongst many helping people evacuate residents from Matapuna. The next day he was called to do a work train to Ginn's Mill - waste of time, two washouts were far larger than thought.
They were lucky to get back with most of their train as some logs shifted and the wagon had to be disconnected over a bridge foundation that was giving way.
They were lucky to get back with most of their train as some logs shifted and the wagon had to be disconnected over a bridge foundation that was giving way.
In those days there were 92 crews based in Taumarunui plus others.
In 1960 he almost killed a guy who it looks like may have fallen asleep.
In 1962 there were many slips between Waiouru and Marton. After finishing at 4.30 they had a small jug each and were called out again. This train was an 11 carriage work train. After two hours delay at Marton they disconnected most of the carriages and went light to Waiouru. They were stopped at Mataroa by a slip and on the return by another slip. They got home by jigger, walking and a truck - a 22 hour day.
When Barry returned to Taumarunui in 1967 he had a family. Some days he had to get to work via Racecourse Rd because Victory Bridge was so shaky.
In 1969 he had to leave a loco behind Whangamomona due to slips. Another day of escape by jigger and truck.
One night he walked from Tangarakau to Tokirima, the closest a jigger could get. He walked through dark tunnels along the rails with pigs squealing in the bush nearby - pretty scary. A 23 hour day.
Steam locomotives were finally used in the early 1980s.
Barry was the top locomotive person in Taumarunui when he left in 1992.
During his talk Barry recalls the names of many of the older characters that he worked with.
In those days there were 92 crews based in Taumarunui plus others.
In 1960 he almost killed a guy who it looks like may have fallen asleep.
In 1962 there were many slips between Waiouru and Marton. After finishing at 4.30 they had a small jug each and were called out again. This train was an 11 carriage work train. After two hours delay at Marton they disconnected most of the carriages and went light to Waiouru. They were stopped at Mataroa by a slip and on the return by another slip. They got home by jigger, walking and a truck - a 22 hour day.
When Barry returned to Taumarunui in 1967 he had a family. Some days he had to get to work via Racecourse Rd because Victory Bridge was so shaky.
In 1969 he had to leave a loco behind Whangamomona due to slips. Another day of escape by jigger and truck.
One night he walked from Tangarakau to Tokirima, the closest a jigger could get. He walked through dark tunnels along the rails with pigs squealing in the bush nearby - pretty scary. A 23 hour day.
Steam locomotives were finally used in the early 1980s.
Barry was the top locomotive person in Taumarunui when he left in 1992.
During his talk Barry recalls the names of many of the older characters that he worked with.