KiwiRail Steam Fireman School

Since the commencement of Heritage Operations on New Zealand's National Rail Network in 1985, excursions have (mostly) been crewed by certified NZR/KiwiRail Locomotive Engineers. As time has passed, the number remaining of certified steam crew has decreased significantly, with the older generation whom were raised with steam, passing on. KiwiRail and FRONZ (Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand) have acknowledged this issue, and a course has been designed by Tim Kerwin & the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. The first course was in 2019, to train two of KiwiRail's certified Fireman, for Engine Driver. This was a success, however progress on more courses was halted once Covid-19 hit the country in 2020. KiwiRail sponsored the course, with Robin Simmons initially acting as the KiwiRail Liaison, until his retirement. Adam O'Sullivan, Palmerston North based Steam Driver, has since taken over, and spent the two weeks at the GVR between 16-28 May running the course with Tim Kerwin, Phil Wagener (NZQA Assessor), and other GVR crew. Ww 480 operated with the three ex-Tranz Scenic AO cars over the two weeks, back and forth counting up hundreds of kilometres. After a successful two weeks, KiwiRail now have four new Steam fireman for Heritage Excursions at the bottom half of the North Island. On the second to last day, Ww 644, still in testing phases of her introduction to service, was also steamed up to haul 5 empty UKD wagons, owned by KiwiRail, but hired by Martinus Rail for testing on the GVR, to Glenbrook in readiness for their return to KiwiRail. The opportunity was used double head with Ww 480 & 9x empty cars at the end of the day, which was a spectacle to witness, and history in the making - the first time two Ww's have been together on the GVR since 2018 (4 years and one day!).