Returning on the Footplate | Locomotive Wa165

Bacon Railways goes visiting... This is the driver and Firemans view of the return trip from Muriwai to Gisborne. Key Milestones Of the loco: 1900: Built in NZ Rail's Dunedin workshops as the first of the WA Class. Early Years: Worked in Wellington, Palmerston North, and Taihape before moving to the Gisborne line in 1911. Long Service: Spent decades hauling trains on the scenic Gisborne-Motuhora line, becoming synonymous with the area. Withdrawal & Discovery (1950s-1960s): Retired in 1957, it was found decaying on a siding by Gisborne's Junior Chamber of Commerce, who bought it for its scrap value. Return to Gisborne (1961): Repaired and transported back to Gisborne for preservation. Heritage Operation (1962-Present): Became a stationary exhibit and later operated as a vintage railway, offering rides and unique experiences like crossing the airport runway. Significance: It's the sole survivor of the eleven WA Class locomotives. Offers a rare chance to ride a historic steam engine in New Zealand. Provides unique railway experiences, including crossing the Gisborne airport runway, a feature unmatched in the Southern Hemisphere. 00:00 leaving Muriwai 06:25 Smoking out the carriage 13:58 Waipaoa River 26:20 Awapuni Road 28:55 Crossing the Airport 31:54 Lytton Road 34:54 Stanley Road 38:50 Gisborne Station 45:02 Returning to the Engine Shed