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An articulated Fiat type railcar leaves Springfield for Greymouth.1966.
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DescriptionAn articulated "Fiat" type railcar leaves Springfield for Greymouth in 1966.From here the run across the Canterbury Plains ends and the mountain climbing begins.In the background is the Torless Range.
Alex Graham.." The articulated 88 seaters ("Fiats") were introduced in 1956. The Vulcans came into service about the beginning of WWII (one being lost in transit to NZ when a U-boat sank the ship it was on)."PhotographerR SinclairDate of Photo1966Map[1] ContributorJames Newby
Alex Graham.." The articulated 88 seaters ("Fiats") were introduced in 1956. The Vulcans came into service about the beginning of WWII (one being lost in transit to NZ when a U-boat sank the ship it was on)."PhotographerR SinclairDate of Photo1966Map[1] ContributorJames Newby
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Location (city or town)SpringfieldOrganisation (eg business)NZ Railways
Category Information
Category TagRailways
From Facebook
LinkFacebookDate Created4th January 2018CommentsIan Tennent
Should not have been retired.
Gary Scott
Ian Tennent
There was talk about repowering them at the time but they converted them to grass grubs instead.
Wayne Nicholson
Ian Tennent . Correct, the service should still be running daily at an affordable price.
Alan Rennie
I could have been on that going to Stillwater where we changed to the Vulcan to go to Westport
Stuart Chapman
Remember them with great fondness. Travelling ChCh to Greymouth to spend holidays with relies. Much fun as a 10 year old
Maree Grantham
Stuart Chapman yessss!
Colin Harman
Did Christchurch to Ross a couple of times in the late 60s on the Rail Car
Cheryl Townsend
Loved the trip on the Railcar
Alice Mary Davies
Martin Goodman
Liz Hay
Bring back passenger rail just like this with affordable fares.
Jill Adams
Loved traveling on them brings back great memories
Robin Gibbens
Could have been on the railcar on my first trip back to see my grandfather on my own aged 11 after we moved over here in 65 ,couldn’t wait to get to the coast side for my first much loved tub of snowflake ice cream .fabulous memories of very happy times
Wayne Nicholson
Many a happy moment on them travelling every school holiday to Greymouth. Usually the 2am 'Press" run going and the 10am return. About One pound return from memory.
Reply2h
Cynthia McCaughan
My first big adventure travelling by myself aged 10: Mum drove me up from Timaru and put me on the railcar at Christchurch with my packed lunch in a basket, I went as far as Stillwater and got off to catch the bus to Westport to stay with my grandparents for Christmas 1970.
Alan Messenger
Brings back great memories.
Caroline Dunlop
Lots of trips in boarding school days late 50s early 60s and even after.
Sheryl Luscombe
Many happy trips with my Nana and Pa. Also used to go to Greymouth dancing competitions travelling on the railcar beautiful memories
Geoffrey Bell
I worked with Roy Sinclair, the photographer. He was a passionate and talented Rail Photographer and passed away recently. Produced many great books.
Des Kennedy
Had many a great trip to and from Christchurch. When I was getting contact lenses I would take the 10am to ChCh and back on the 6pm. In winter the Flats were three units long. Leaving Christchurch it would be full of Varsity trampers. Some standing. The railcar would stop I think at Avoca and continue to Greymouth almost empty.
John Chipper
Rail
Car drivers would stop on demand and sitting beside them from
Arthur Pass to Springfield stopping for photographs was an incredible experience.
God knows what the passengers thought.
Yvonne Lawson
I worked on Railways in Greymouth. Had every second Monday off after working Saturday week before. Railcar to Christchurch Friday after work back Monday night in time for work Tuesday. Great times.
Ann Gason
Yvonne Lawson hi Yvonne I met my husband at the station Ron Biddington he was a clerk also my dad Brian Scully retired there as chief stationmaster perhaps you knew them
Yvonne Lawson
Ann Gason I worked with your Dad. He was in main office. I was typist and teleprinter operator. I used to make your Dad a cup of tea each day. I was Yvonne Duke from Runanga. My husband worked at other of the passage. Communications he was Neil Lawson from Kumara. Small world eh.
Shane Tibbotts
Bring back the rail car
Kath Stopforth
Good to get boarding school on. My sister and I would link up with the Southerner to Dunedin. The whole trip took 13 hours!
Arlene Hutcheon
I used to go on these from Christchurch to Greymouth for thr holidays to stay with my grandmother
Barbara Scott
I really miss this trip. Time to bring it back as an affordable travel alternative.
Don Pearce
I travelled several times from Christchurch to Stillwater on my way to Westport and return,early '60s.
Ray Deo
My favourite railcard of all Railways of all time that I've travelled on and I travelled in Germany Greece Scandinavia Russia Poland Spain the UK Switzerland Morocco turkey India Japan cusa and Canada and Australia that's still my favourite railcar.
R Stuart Nicholson
Could have been me in that one …. change at Stillwater for Westport.
Helen Ruscoe
I used to love the railcar and used it often. Now I have to save up for one trip, one way. Cheaper to take the car.
Grant Lousich
Great looking machines those Fiat 88's but unreliable as you can get. All got destroyed but a group of enthusiasts are making one from various found bits I understand.
Peter Spence
Grant Lousich - on the Canterbury Plains stretch it used to go like the clappers for the reminder of the journey.
Cheryl Hedley
That would have been a lovely trip with all the snow down
Barry Kennedy
Cheryl Hedley Was about to say, "There's a bit of snow on them thar hills"
Peter Mac
Could have been on that as a 9yr old going too westport remember waiting at stillwater for the railcar from greymouth too take us to westport
Jennie Scott
Should be brought back, lots of great places to ride to
Elaine Bolitho
I have happy 1960s memories of riding these to Stillwater where my husband's mother would pick us up and take us back to Reefton...
Stephen Cody
The old bone shaker
Hazel Oldham
Cuppa tea and a pie
John Griffin
they used to good ham sandwiches at stillwater
Donna Lee Conley
John Griffin My Auntie Phylis and Uncle Earl, my mums brother and sister inlaw used to run the railway cafe in Stillwater, I remember many a time when Lyn and I stopped with mum and dad and were given a bag of chips and a fanta drink while mum and dad had a cup of tea in a white cup and saucer with NZ Railway written on it. Happy memories
Wendy Lyall
Beautiful so love traveling on that.
Robin Gibbens
Could have been on it, was in 66 l took my first trip back on my own to see my Grandfather, fabulous memories
Wayne Nicholson
Robin Gibbens . I was always on the 1.40am "Press" railcar in those days. Got let off at Kaiata Station around 6am.
Bob Laing
Wayne Nicholson
I also travelled on the Press railcar
Dave Weir
Mum used to put us 3 boys aged 6-8-10 on the Railcar in Christchurch, with suitcases and packed lunches in the school holidays, and we would arrive at Ross and be picked up by Grandma, (Lena Reardon) those were some of the most happiest days ever.
David Irving
Dave Weir especially for your Mum
Margaret Clare Buchanan
Yep,I went riding on these lovely Fiat railcars. Now we ride in our yummy 1982 Fiat Spyder sportscar!
James Codyre
Don't forget the fruitcake.
Alison Armstrong
I could have been on that one. A lovely journey to Hokitika.
Grant Lousich
Put a middle carriage on her to match the other two, firepower with a Caterpillar and you have a long distance ride with cafe in the middle carriage. Christchurch to Invercargil no problem. Christchurch to the Coast would have to be cheaper for families than the Tranz (expensive) Alpine is now and you could probably fill all the seating. Picton to Invercargill what a great trip that would be.
Alan Mitchell
They carried on to Hokitika in those days
Barry Ward
Alan Mitchell Didnt they go through to Ross as well
Alan Mitchell
yes they did
Peter Moore
Really enjoyed trips on the Railcars from kumara junction to ChCh.
Grant Knowles
I grew up in Springfield and between 1968 and 77 I would often ride the railcar on Saturdays up to Arthurs Pass and back in the front with the driver 10am leave and 2pm return it was great as my Dad was section officer there. Very fond memories indeed. The Torless range was the view from my bedroom
Roy Bright
been on those old railcars a million times to the Coast to visit my grandparents as a kid...
Sandra Mike Moore
Used this many times going on holiday from Westport. I still remember and really enjoyed the journey.Great days in the 69s.
Nova Hichens
great trips & comfort
Kevin Bell
Was a great trip.
Brett Raymond Williams
They should bring back just a normal passenger train if they really want to get cars of the road
PJ Spence
Can't remember the number of times we would have travelled on these in the 60's - loved every minutes of the trip either way thru the seasons - - -
Linda Howard
PJ Spence , I’m with you there, I loved travelling on them .
Bruce Keddie
Not a Fiat railcar, but they did have Fiat engines.
David Howe
I do not wish to be pedantic, but these railcars were built by the Drewry Car Company/ Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Company in England. The only Fiat component were the engines, which gave quite a bit of trouble. A more correct description for them would be Twin Set. That is how they were referred to by most railwaymen. The ones i worked with anyway.
Myron Caldwell
David Howe most people from the Greymouth area referred to them as either bendy or Fiat. There would have been more there, than the railway employees I should think. Can you your assist with the proper name for Vulcan railcar, or were we right when we referred to it as a Vulcan?
David Howe
Myron Caldwell The railcar drivers i worked with on the railcars referred to them as Twin Sets Myron. I kmow that many people referred to them as Fiats, but as i say, they were not built by them. Vulcans on the other hand were built by the Vulcan Foundry, so were correctly called Vulcans. Even though the motors were Frichs, a Danish manufacturer, but built under license by Vulcan. No one called them Frichs railcars.
Bruce Keddie
Myron Caldwell I grew up in Greymouth and travelled on them many time. Never ever heard them called "bendy" but yes, they were often (wrongly) called Fiat's.
Yvonne Lawson
David Howe Twinset and the smaller one Vulcan
Wayne Goodisson
I have been on them
Margaret Clare Buchanan
Ohhh. I loved going to see my aunties and uncles in Greymouth in the 60s and 70s in these Fiat railcars.
Bazza Morland
Vulcan.
Bev Kelly
Boarding school days!!! Travelled on them to school and home each term
Alan Mitchell
Hokitika & Ross in those days
Aileen Thornley
I used to go on the Railcar three times a year to my Nana in Christchurch. I did it the first time in about 1967 The guard kept an eye on me
Quite a few kids did the same thing I think. Lovely times.
David Howe
I do not wish to be pedantic, but these railcars were built by the Drewry Car Company/ Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Company in England. The only Fiat component were the engines, which gave quite a bit of trouble. A more correct description for them would be Twin Set. That is how they were referred to by most railwaymen. The ones i worked with anyway.
Should not have been retired.
Gary Scott
Ian Tennent
There was talk about repowering them at the time but they converted them to grass grubs instead.
Wayne Nicholson
Ian Tennent . Correct, the service should still be running daily at an affordable price.
Alan Rennie
I could have been on that going to Stillwater where we changed to the Vulcan to go to Westport
Stuart Chapman
Remember them with great fondness. Travelling ChCh to Greymouth to spend holidays with relies. Much fun as a 10 year old
Maree Grantham
Stuart Chapman yessss!
Colin Harman
Did Christchurch to Ross a couple of times in the late 60s on the Rail Car
Cheryl Townsend
Loved the trip on the Railcar
Alice Mary Davies
Martin Goodman
Liz Hay
Bring back passenger rail just like this with affordable fares.
Jill Adams
Loved traveling on them brings back great memories
Robin Gibbens
Could have been on the railcar on my first trip back to see my grandfather on my own aged 11 after we moved over here in 65 ,couldn’t wait to get to the coast side for my first much loved tub of snowflake ice cream .fabulous memories of very happy times
Wayne Nicholson
Many a happy moment on them travelling every school holiday to Greymouth. Usually the 2am 'Press" run going and the 10am return. About One pound return from memory.
Reply2h
Cynthia McCaughan
My first big adventure travelling by myself aged 10: Mum drove me up from Timaru and put me on the railcar at Christchurch with my packed lunch in a basket, I went as far as Stillwater and got off to catch the bus to Westport to stay with my grandparents for Christmas 1970.
Alan Messenger
Brings back great memories.
Caroline Dunlop
Lots of trips in boarding school days late 50s early 60s and even after.
Sheryl Luscombe
Many happy trips with my Nana and Pa. Also used to go to Greymouth dancing competitions travelling on the railcar beautiful memories
Geoffrey Bell
I worked with Roy Sinclair, the photographer. He was a passionate and talented Rail Photographer and passed away recently. Produced many great books.
Des Kennedy
Had many a great trip to and from Christchurch. When I was getting contact lenses I would take the 10am to ChCh and back on the 6pm. In winter the Flats were three units long. Leaving Christchurch it would be full of Varsity trampers. Some standing. The railcar would stop I think at Avoca and continue to Greymouth almost empty.
John Chipper
Rail
Car drivers would stop on demand and sitting beside them from
Arthur Pass to Springfield stopping for photographs was an incredible experience.
God knows what the passengers thought.
Yvonne Lawson
I worked on Railways in Greymouth. Had every second Monday off after working Saturday week before. Railcar to Christchurch Friday after work back Monday night in time for work Tuesday. Great times.
Ann Gason
Yvonne Lawson hi Yvonne I met my husband at the station Ron Biddington he was a clerk also my dad Brian Scully retired there as chief stationmaster perhaps you knew them
Yvonne Lawson
Ann Gason I worked with your Dad. He was in main office. I was typist and teleprinter operator. I used to make your Dad a cup of tea each day. I was Yvonne Duke from Runanga. My husband worked at other of the passage. Communications he was Neil Lawson from Kumara. Small world eh.
Shane Tibbotts
Bring back the rail car
Kath Stopforth
Good to get boarding school on. My sister and I would link up with the Southerner to Dunedin. The whole trip took 13 hours!
Arlene Hutcheon
I used to go on these from Christchurch to Greymouth for thr holidays to stay with my grandmother
Barbara Scott
I really miss this trip. Time to bring it back as an affordable travel alternative.
Don Pearce
I travelled several times from Christchurch to Stillwater on my way to Westport and return,early '60s.
Ray Deo
My favourite railcard of all Railways of all time that I've travelled on and I travelled in Germany Greece Scandinavia Russia Poland Spain the UK Switzerland Morocco turkey India Japan cusa and Canada and Australia that's still my favourite railcar.
R Stuart Nicholson
Could have been me in that one …. change at Stillwater for Westport.
Helen Ruscoe
I used to love the railcar and used it often. Now I have to save up for one trip, one way. Cheaper to take the car.
Grant Lousich
Great looking machines those Fiat 88's but unreliable as you can get. All got destroyed but a group of enthusiasts are making one from various found bits I understand.
Peter Spence
Grant Lousich - on the Canterbury Plains stretch it used to go like the clappers for the reminder of the journey.
Cheryl Hedley
That would have been a lovely trip with all the snow down
Barry Kennedy
Cheryl Hedley Was about to say, "There's a bit of snow on them thar hills"
Peter Mac
Could have been on that as a 9yr old going too westport remember waiting at stillwater for the railcar from greymouth too take us to westport
Jennie Scott
Should be brought back, lots of great places to ride to
Elaine Bolitho
I have happy 1960s memories of riding these to Stillwater where my husband's mother would pick us up and take us back to Reefton...
Stephen Cody
The old bone shaker
Hazel Oldham
Cuppa tea and a pie
John Griffin
they used to good ham sandwiches at stillwater
Donna Lee Conley
John Griffin My Auntie Phylis and Uncle Earl, my mums brother and sister inlaw used to run the railway cafe in Stillwater, I remember many a time when Lyn and I stopped with mum and dad and were given a bag of chips and a fanta drink while mum and dad had a cup of tea in a white cup and saucer with NZ Railway written on it. Happy memories
Wendy Lyall
Beautiful so love traveling on that.
Robin Gibbens
Could have been on it, was in 66 l took my first trip back on my own to see my Grandfather, fabulous memories
Wayne Nicholson
Robin Gibbens . I was always on the 1.40am "Press" railcar in those days. Got let off at Kaiata Station around 6am.
Bob Laing
Wayne Nicholson
I also travelled on the Press railcar
Dave Weir
Mum used to put us 3 boys aged 6-8-10 on the Railcar in Christchurch, with suitcases and packed lunches in the school holidays, and we would arrive at Ross and be picked up by Grandma, (Lena Reardon) those were some of the most happiest days ever.
David Irving
Dave Weir especially for your Mum
Margaret Clare Buchanan
Yep,I went riding on these lovely Fiat railcars. Now we ride in our yummy 1982 Fiat Spyder sportscar!
James Codyre
Don't forget the fruitcake.
Alison Armstrong
I could have been on that one. A lovely journey to Hokitika.
Grant Lousich
Put a middle carriage on her to match the other two, firepower with a Caterpillar and you have a long distance ride with cafe in the middle carriage. Christchurch to Invercargil no problem. Christchurch to the Coast would have to be cheaper for families than the Tranz (expensive) Alpine is now and you could probably fill all the seating. Picton to Invercargill what a great trip that would be.
Alan Mitchell
They carried on to Hokitika in those days
Barry Ward
Alan Mitchell Didnt they go through to Ross as well
Alan Mitchell
yes they did
Peter Moore
Really enjoyed trips on the Railcars from kumara junction to ChCh.
Grant Knowles
I grew up in Springfield and between 1968 and 77 I would often ride the railcar on Saturdays up to Arthurs Pass and back in the front with the driver 10am leave and 2pm return it was great as my Dad was section officer there. Very fond memories indeed. The Torless range was the view from my bedroom
Roy Bright
been on those old railcars a million times to the Coast to visit my grandparents as a kid...
Sandra Mike Moore
Used this many times going on holiday from Westport. I still remember and really enjoyed the journey.Great days in the 69s.
Nova Hichens
great trips & comfort
Kevin Bell
Was a great trip.
Brett Raymond Williams
They should bring back just a normal passenger train if they really want to get cars of the road
PJ Spence
Can't remember the number of times we would have travelled on these in the 60's - loved every minutes of the trip either way thru the seasons - - -
Linda Howard
PJ Spence , I’m with you there, I loved travelling on them .
Bruce Keddie
Not a Fiat railcar, but they did have Fiat engines.
David Howe
I do not wish to be pedantic, but these railcars were built by the Drewry Car Company/ Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Company in England. The only Fiat component were the engines, which gave quite a bit of trouble. A more correct description for them would be Twin Set. That is how they were referred to by most railwaymen. The ones i worked with anyway.
Myron Caldwell
David Howe most people from the Greymouth area referred to them as either bendy or Fiat. There would have been more there, than the railway employees I should think. Can you your assist with the proper name for Vulcan railcar, or were we right when we referred to it as a Vulcan?
David Howe
Myron Caldwell The railcar drivers i worked with on the railcars referred to them as Twin Sets Myron. I kmow that many people referred to them as Fiats, but as i say, they were not built by them. Vulcans on the other hand were built by the Vulcan Foundry, so were correctly called Vulcans. Even though the motors were Frichs, a Danish manufacturer, but built under license by Vulcan. No one called them Frichs railcars.
Bruce Keddie
Myron Caldwell I grew up in Greymouth and travelled on them many time. Never ever heard them called "bendy" but yes, they were often (wrongly) called Fiat's.
Yvonne Lawson
David Howe Twinset and the smaller one Vulcan
Wayne Goodisson
I have been on them
Margaret Clare Buchanan
Ohhh. I loved going to see my aunties and uncles in Greymouth in the 60s and 70s in these Fiat railcars.
Bazza Morland
Vulcan.
Bev Kelly
Boarding school days!!! Travelled on them to school and home each term
Alan Mitchell
Hokitika & Ross in those days
Aileen Thornley
I used to go on the Railcar three times a year to my Nana in Christchurch. I did it the first time in about 1967 The guard kept an eye on me
Quite a few kids did the same thing I think. Lovely times.
David Howe
I do not wish to be pedantic, but these railcars were built by the Drewry Car Company/ Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Company in England. The only Fiat component were the engines, which gave quite a bit of trouble. A more correct description for them would be Twin Set. That is how they were referred to by most railwaymen. The ones i worked with anyway.
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West Coast New Zealand History (5th Feb 2025). An articulated Fiat type railcar leaves Springfield for Greymouth.1966.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 17th May 2026 22:46, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/22674