Steam Incorporated, often abbreviated to Steam Inc., is a railway heritage and preservation society based at the Paekākāriki railway station, Paekākāriki at the southern end of the Kāpiti Coast, approximately 50 minutes north of Wellington on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Unlike some societies who operate on preserved sections of closed branch lines, Steam Incorporated owns a depot ("The Engine Shed")[1] beside one of the country's most important railway lines, the North Island Main Trunk railway, and restores heritage locomotives and rolling stock for use on excursions on the regular national rail network.[2]
History
Paekākāriki's close association with the railway began in 1886 when the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company's line from Wellington to Longburn opened. Paekākāriki railway station was a large station despite the settlement's small size, as it was ideally located as a locomotive changeover point - powerful engines were required to tackle the difficult grades between Wellington and Paekākāriki, while lighter and more nimble ones were better suited to the gentle grades and straight track through the Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua to Manawatū.
The New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) took over the Wellington and Manawatu Railway in December 1908, but Paekākāriki's status as an important depot remained unchanged. In 1940, the line from Wellington to Paekākāriki was electrified and Paekākāriki's depot was altered: it became the changeover point from electric to steam motive power, or electric to diesel from the 1950s onwards. Paekākāriki also was an important goods transfer point between NZR and its "Rail Air" service that operated out of Paraparaumu across Cook Strait, before the inter-island rail ferries were introduced. A large shed was constructed at Paekākāriki by the US Marines stationed in the area for use with the Rail Air service during World War II.
In the late 1960s with steam traction coming to an end, the locomotive depot in Paekākāriki was closed and the diesel locomotives that replaced steam were based out of Wellington instead. The main engine shed was demolished along with several other buildings, but the Rail Air Shed, two signal boxes, amenities building and a turntable remained when Steam Incorporated acquired the site. New sheds were constructed to replace those demolished, and the Rail Air Shed and amenities buildings were acquired when it became available. While initially leasing a portion of the site, Steam Incorporated now owns the whole former depot site including the 70 ft turntable, to which the railways retain a right of access.
Steam Incorporated
As steam traction started to disappear from the NZR network, a group of enthusiasts united to preserve steam locomotives with the express intention of running them on the mainline network. At the time, all locomotives that had been preserved were solely for use on heritage railways or for static display as the NZR sold locomotives on the proviso that they would never again run on the NZR network, it was a radical concept.
Steam Incorporated was formed in 1972,[3] and locomotives were purchased by the society or for the society by members.[2] Until 1985, NZR had decreed that no steam locomotives were to run on mainlines.[4] NZR then allowed one mainline excursion a year. In 1988, following the success of the Ferrymead 125 celebrations, NZR agreed to lift the ban and charged enthusiasts to use the network.[5] As a result, Steam Incorporated were able to run excursions on the network from their Paekākāriki base.[1] In 1988, Steam Incorporated also acquired two DA class locomotives recently withdrawn by NZR.[1]
First AB built. Owned by the NZR&LS, previously statically displayed at Ferrymead. Leased to Steam Incorporated, 1993. Main line certified. Named Passchendaele[6]
Formerly part of the NZ Rail Heritage Collection. Leased to Steam Inc in 2004 but returned in 2007; brought outright in 2012 after storage at Hutt Workshops. Currently under restoration.
Ex-Da 1540 built by General Motors Canada in 1967 then rebuilt by Clyde Engineering and numbered Dc 1585 in 1979 with cab numberboards only pre-TMS and Later-TMS 4375 on longhood for a brief time until 1980. Arrived at Paekakariki on 1 April 2021. Undergoing a major restoration.
Used as a static boiler supply at Hutt Workshops prior to preservation. Stored as an incomplete hulk with the tender from K 928, originally brought as a spare boiler for KA 945.
Purchased by Sir Len Southward in 1967. Stored in Taumaranui until 1975 and later donated to Steam Inc. in 1981. Overhauled to working order in April 1985. Withdrawn in May 1995 for 10 year inspection. Stored until 2014, currently undergoing major overhaul back to working order.
Withdrawn from service in Kawerau in 2002. Transferred to Pahiatua in 2004 and stored there until 2015, when it was transferred to Paekakariki by road. Restored to running order, the locomotive is used for shunting duties around the depot.
NRZ15A class Garratt 398, owned by the Flying Fifteen Locomotive Society arrived at Steam Incorporated in May 2011. The locomotive is being prepared for long-term storage, however, the group have eventual plans to run it on the mainline.
1909-built 0-4-0T Barclay #1181, acquired from Len Southward in the 1970s was owned by the group until it was sold in 2012 to a private owner for restoration, based at the Silver Stream Railway.
A&G Price rail tractor NO 152 was bought by Steam Incorporated in 1978. It was rendered surplus to the group's requirements in 1994 and is now with the Ormondville Rail Preservation Group.
DSA 305 was purchased by Steam Incorporated in 1986 from the NZR. It was used until 1994 when it was sold to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, and has since been on-sold to a private owner at Cable Bay.
The remains of WB 292 and WB 299, owned by Hugh McCracken, were stored at Paekakariki from 1989 until 2013 when they were moved to the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust depot at Maymorn for restoration.
Rolling stock
Steam Incorporated owns one of New Zealand's largest fleets of heritage passenger carriages certified for mainline operation on the regular national network. Originally painted in a unique chocolate brown livery with yellow lining to differentiate them from carriages in service on regular trains, the paint was found to fade and look shabby, and when Tranz Rail, NZR's successor repainted their carriages in a blue livery in the early 1990s, Steam Incorporated reverted to the "Midland Red" paint scheme that had been used for most passenger carriages in New Zealand since the 1920s.[2]
Steam Incorporated own a variety of carriage types, such as five wide-bodied AA class 50 ft wooden passenger carriages with balcony ends. In 2008, these carriages were painted in "Pullman Green" for use in the North Island Main Trunk Railway centenary celebrations. In addition, Steam Inc. have a number of 50-foot and 56-foot steel-clad passenger carriages, one of which has been converted for use as a buffet/souvenir car. The active fleet stands at twelve fully restored and mainline certified carriages, with one currently under restoration, one awaiting mainline certification and nine stored (4).
Along with carriages, the society owns a number of guards vans and former goods wagons, some of which are certified for mainline operation as locomotive service wagons.
Last 56-foot First Class car in original Main Trunk condition. Equipped with pressure ventilation. Purchased by Keith Magnussen in 1983, later donated to Steam Incorporated. Stored awaiting restoration.[7][8]
A 1868
AS 56073
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1937
2013
Ex-Auckland charter fleet, used as a servery car. Purchased from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2013.[9][10] Currently under restoration.[8]
A 1870
A 56105
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1937
2010
Surplus ex-Auckland suburban service in 1996. Sold to Waitara Railway Preservation Society, and stored at Brixton until 2010 when sold to Steam Incorporated. Currently stored.[8]
A 1902
A 56156
A 2317
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1938
2013
Ex-Auckland charter fleet. Purchased from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2013.[9][10] Restored 2013 to 2014. Mainline certified.[11][8][12]
A 1928
A 3389
AS 2500
ASO 27
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1939
2013
First 56-foot carriage rebuilt as a big window car in 1987, used as a survey car. Purchased from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2013.[10] Currently stored.[8]
Large window observation car. Purchased from The Great Journeys of New Zealand in 2018.[13] Transferred by rail to Paekakariki in Sept 2018. Currently stored awaiting overhaul.
A 1942
A 56453
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1939
1996
Surplus ex-Auckland suburban service in 1996. Under restoration, will be fitted with a South Island First Class-style Coupe compartment.[14][8]
A 1943
A 56461
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1939
2010
Surplus ex-Auckland Suburban trains 1996. Sold to Gisborne City Vintage Railway, later on-sold to Waitara Railway Preservation Society. Sold to Steam Incorporated in 2010. Currently stored.[8]
A 1947
A 3239
AO 83
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1939
2018
Rear window observation car. Purchased from The Great Journeys of New Zealand in 2018.[13] Transferred by rail to Paekakariki in Sept 2018. Currently stored awaiting restoration.
A 1953
A 56544
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1939
2008
Ex-Auckland charter fleet. Sold to Steam Inc. in 2008.[15][16] Restoration completed in 2012.[17] Mainline certified.[18][8]
A 1962
A 56333
A 2234
NZR Addington Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1940
2013
Ex-Auckland charter fleet. Purchased from KiwiRail Scenic Journeys in 2013.[9][10] Mainline Certified.[8]
A 1975
A 3022
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' 0" steel-panelled mainline coach
1945
2020
Owned by John and Rolf Christensen. Leased to Steam Inc., and arrived in June 2020. Mainline certified.
A 1989
A 56769
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1943
1996
Surplus ex-Auckland suburban service 1996.[19] Restoration completed in 2003.[14] Mainline certified.[20][8]
A 2011
AB 3534
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline carriage
1939
2008
Built as Vice Regal staff carriage A 2011.[15][16] Later re-built as an AB buffet car for Endeavour service, later modified with reduced counter and additional seating. Withdrawn in 2007 and stored at Hutt Workhops. Purchased by Steam Inc. in 2008, and stored awaiting restoration.[8]
Obtained as a derelict from Hutt Workshops. Restored in 1981.[21] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1071
A 4029 (in Preservation)
NZR Petone Workshops
50' wooden body, wide-body mainline carriage
1909
1977
Withdrawn from NZR service in Auckland. Restored in 1977. First Steam Inc. carriage to be restored.[22] Returned to service in February 2007 after wood-work repairs.[23] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1073
A 4035 (in Preservation)
NZR Petone Workshops
50' wooden body, wide-body mainline carriage
1909
1977
Withdrawn from NZR service in Auckland. Returned to service 1979, car still has original style pressed steel internal ceiling.[22] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1265
A 4070 (in Preservation)
NZR Petone Workshops
50' wooden body, wide-body mainline carriage
1912
1977
Obtained as a derelict from Hutt Workshops. Restored and entered Steam Inc. service in 1981.[24] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1267
A 4087 (in Preservation)
NZR Petone Workshops
50' wooden body, wide-body mainline carriage
1912
1976
Obtained from Rotten Row at Marton, first carriage acquired by Steam Inc. Restored and entered Steam Inc. service in 1980. Still has original style pressed steel internal ceiling; first Steam Inc. car to be painted in red livery.[25] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1670
- - - -
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
50' vitron panelled, wide-body suburban carriage
1930
2022
Obtained from Forest Lakes Camp, Otaki. In early stages of restoration.
One of the first batch of five 56-foot long carriages, originally built as a sleeping car. Restored as buffet and souvenir car by Steam Inc., entered service in 1984.[26] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1757
A 50215
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
50' steel-panelled wide-body mainline carriage
1932
1983
Entered Steam Inc. service in 1984. Withdrawn in 1994 for a comprehensive overhaul, overhaul restarted in 2005 and re-entered service in 2009.[27][28][14][16] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1769
A 50274
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
50' steel-panelled wide-body mainline carriage
1932
1981
Built by NZR as a First Class car but later had Second Class seats installed with generous leg room. Entered Steam Inc. service in 1984.[29] Overhauled and returned to service in 1994.[30] Mainline certified.[8]
AA 1783
A 50290
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
50' steel-panelled wide-body mainline carriage
1933
1983
Entered Steam Inc. service in 1984, withdrawn in 2002 for a comprehensive overhaul. Overhaul begun 2012.[31] Restored in 2017.[8] Mainline certified.
AL 1917
AL 56255 AL 56066
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel-panelled mainline car-van
1939
1996
Converted to carvan at Otahuhu for suburban work in 1982, withdrawn in 1996.[19] Sold to Steam Incorporated, former luggage compartment modified to provide space for loco support crew.[32] Restored in 1997.[14] Mainline certified.[8]
Guards vans
Key:
In Service
In Service, Main Line Certified
Under Overhaul/Restoration
Stored
Static Display
Scrapped
Pre-TMS number
TMS number
Builder
Type
Year built
Year arrived
Notes
F 524
F 1164
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
50' wooden body guards van
1930
1986
Entered Steam Inc. service in 1988, withdrawn 1993. Currently used as a photographic display vehicle.[33][8]
F 609
F 2391
NZR Otahuhu Workshops
56' steel panelled guards van
1944
1990
Used on Southerner & Endeavour trains, then briefly used as a Way & Works vehicle. Stored awaiting future restoration.[8]
Owned by John and Rolf Christensen. Leased to Steam Inc., and arrived in June 2020. Rebuilt into an open observation van in 1994. Awaiting repainting. Mainline certified.
Withdrawn by NZR in 1988. Sold to a private owner in 1989, and stored at the Mainline Steam Trust Parnell until 2008. Restored and entered Steam Inc. service in 2009. Last guards van in revenue freight use in Auckland area, still fitted with original interior.[34][8][35]
Originally built at UB 948. Reclassified as EUB 1905 in May 1944. Formerly owned by the Craven Crane Group. Ownership to Steam Inc. in 2009. Stored. Runner wagon for Crane 200.[36][37]
Originally built as UB 1357 c1952. Reclassified as EUB 4184 in December 1975.[37] Crane runner for Crane 200. Formerly owned by the Craven Crane Group. Ownership to Steam Inc. in 2009. Stored.[36]
Steam Incorporated has operated or participated in excursions to almost all parts of the national railway network that has been open since the late 1970s. As one of the first organisations to operate a private carriage fleet, excursions have been run since 1978. During the early years of the society's existence, NZR would not permit heritage operators to use their own locomotives on the national network, thus limiting the society's locomotive activities to the area of The Engine Shed. Since 1985 however, this policy has been abandoned and Steam Incorporated have run the majority of their excursions using society-owned Steam and Diesel locomotives. Popular excursions have been through the central North Island, annual "Art Deco" expresses to Napier, to the centennial celebrations at Dunedin Railway Station in 2006, and to the centennial celebrations at Feilding in 2008. Some excursions are operated solely by Steam Incorporated crews with the society's own equipment (with the locomotive driver and fireman supplied by Kiwirail), while others have been in conjunction with other New Zealand preservation societies and their locomotives, such as the "double drivers" excursions featuring two KA class locomotives.[2]
Some of the more notable involvements Steam Incorporated have had were in 1993 when KA 945 and Steam Inc carriages toured for 3 weeks around New Zealand on the "Crunchie Train", and in 2008 when Steam Incorporated operated the Parliamentary Special NIMT Centennial train on behalf of ONTRACK, using primarily Steam Incorporated carriages and a mix of Steam Inc. and other mainline certified locomotives.
Churchman, Geoffrey B; Hurst, Tony (2001) [1990, 1991]. The Railways of New Zealand: A Journey through History (Second ed.). Transpress New Zealand. ISBN0-908876-20-3.
Maciver, Andy (2014). New Zealand's War Memorial Locomotive - AB 608 Passchendaele. Steam Incorporated. ISBN9780473279684.