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Vulcan railcar - trip from Greymouth to Westport.1970.
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DescriptionStephen Wright.."This photo was taken in the Buller Gorge when a group of Japanese railway engineers were being transported by Vulcan railcar from Greymouth to Westport before going on to Ngakawau. The purpose of the trip, which appears to have been on Sunday 1 November 1970, was to assess whether the line was suitable for carrying Buller coal from Westport to Christchurch. They returned from Greymouth to Christchurch on the following Tuesday.
Jack Fentiman, who was driving the railcar, took the photo. He only went as far as Westport before returning to Greymouth by bus. It’s likely to have been the Sunday, as he can’t remember any train crossings, and the Japanese would have wanted the freedom to inspect the track etc."
The guard is visible in the cab.PhotographerJack FentimanDate of Photo1970Map[1] ContributorStephen Wright
Jack Fentiman, who was driving the railcar, took the photo. He only went as far as Westport before returning to Greymouth by bus. It’s likely to have been the Sunday, as he can’t remember any train crossings, and the Japanese would have wanted the freedom to inspect the track etc."
The guard is visible in the cab.PhotographerJack FentimanDate of Photo1970Map[1] ContributorStephen Wright
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Category TagRailways
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Date Created24th September 2021CommentsIan N Leona Dixon
It obviously worked!!
Phil Millar
Ian N Leona Dixon Hi you 2,how are you,old Building Depot days.
Ian N Leona Dixon
Good thanks Phil, still both working
William Mcdonald
Cool
Patricia Stephens
I remember when railcar use stop by our place Waimunga. We would go on it every friday to greymouth do shopping then return home again. As child it was awesome till they took it away.
Judy Kristiansen
Great little railcar
Wayne Smith
Should have a scenic train of some sort now would be a great trip Westport to reefton or Greymouth
Gary Patrick
Great photo
Ray Deo
Great railcar 80 MPH on the Canteberry plainns between Rolleston and Ashburton. On one trip to Dunedin on the Friday before labour day, they put on a second train on that night because there were so many people travelling. The first train was 3 Fiat's and the second 30 minutes later was 2 Vulcan's. We had to stop at Rakia, Ashburton and Timaru to let the fiat's get out of the way. Fastest trip on 3'6" Gauge till I came to QLD and b took the Tilt train to Rockhampton.
Lee Henderson
I do believe the older generations had a logical transport system. Common sense was allowed.
Darren Kirner
I look at a pic like this and it only seems like yesterday.
Man time flys
Kevin Bell
Travelled often on the railcar to stay with my sister who lived at the Inangahua Juction.Happy memories.
Wendy Hogan
Loved riding in the rail car went to hokitil
Dennis Gibbs
The rail line is still there. Put on a modern, more reliable rail car for tourists. It could be popular and work the gaps between the dwindling coal trains.
Andrew John Wilson
Dennis Gibbs you are not the first or last to suggest or wish this unfortunately those who make these decisions in Wellington and Auckland do not wish it to happen and have a long list of excuses and fob offs for why not. Line is maintained for freight trains . Freight meaning coal and not to passenger train riding quality. Bit of a buggar as I would love to ride thither gorge again
Dennis Gibbs
Andrew John Wilson Yes I think you are right. Tourists would benefit the accommodation, cafe and restaurant businesses.
Andrew John Wilson
Dennis Gibbs absolutely as would all the towns along the way
Pauline Sigglekow
That would have been a great ride. Was there always a railcsr Greymouth Westport and return?
Jo Bromley
Pauline Sigglekow steam train before that.
Pauline Sigglekow
Jo Bromley yes I thought there would have been
Paul Rennie
Pauline Sigglekow that railcar used to start at Ross go through to Westport. Travelled on it many times between 56. 65 from Stillwater to Westport to visit Grandparents.
Should still have scenic passenger trips through the magnificent Lower Buller Gorge. Superb scenery.
James Flaherty
Yes two trips a day morning and afternoon
Ian Schroder
Looks like Slateys creek
Terry Harding
I seem to recall that the same thing ( checking the line for carrying suitability ) was done again just a few years ago at some horrendous cost. Of course nothing came of it.
Bruce Whitfield
Oh to have such a service again
Margaret Clare Buchanan
Super.
Terry Harding
I seem to recall that the same thing ( checking the line for carrying suitability ) was done again just a few years ago at some horrendous cost. Of course nothing came of it.
George Colligan
Not gunna happen again unfortunately
Warren Duthie
what bridge is this please
It obviously worked!!
Phil Millar
Ian N Leona Dixon Hi you 2,how are you,old Building Depot days.
Ian N Leona Dixon
Good thanks Phil, still both working
William Mcdonald
Cool
Patricia Stephens
I remember when railcar use stop by our place Waimunga. We would go on it every friday to greymouth do shopping then return home again. As child it was awesome till they took it away.
Judy Kristiansen
Great little railcar
Wayne Smith
Should have a scenic train of some sort now would be a great trip Westport to reefton or Greymouth
Gary Patrick
Great photo
Ray Deo
Great railcar 80 MPH on the Canteberry plainns between Rolleston and Ashburton. On one trip to Dunedin on the Friday before labour day, they put on a second train on that night because there were so many people travelling. The first train was 3 Fiat's and the second 30 minutes later was 2 Vulcan's. We had to stop at Rakia, Ashburton and Timaru to let the fiat's get out of the way. Fastest trip on 3'6" Gauge till I came to QLD and b took the Tilt train to Rockhampton.
Lee Henderson
I do believe the older generations had a logical transport system. Common sense was allowed.
Darren Kirner
I look at a pic like this and it only seems like yesterday.
Man time flys
Kevin Bell
Travelled often on the railcar to stay with my sister who lived at the Inangahua Juction.Happy memories.
Wendy Hogan
Loved riding in the rail car went to hokitil
Dennis Gibbs
The rail line is still there. Put on a modern, more reliable rail car for tourists. It could be popular and work the gaps between the dwindling coal trains.
Andrew John Wilson
Dennis Gibbs you are not the first or last to suggest or wish this unfortunately those who make these decisions in Wellington and Auckland do not wish it to happen and have a long list of excuses and fob offs for why not. Line is maintained for freight trains . Freight meaning coal and not to passenger train riding quality. Bit of a buggar as I would love to ride thither gorge again
Dennis Gibbs
Andrew John Wilson Yes I think you are right. Tourists would benefit the accommodation, cafe and restaurant businesses.
Andrew John Wilson
Dennis Gibbs absolutely as would all the towns along the way
Pauline Sigglekow
That would have been a great ride. Was there always a railcsr Greymouth Westport and return?
Jo Bromley
Pauline Sigglekow steam train before that.
Pauline Sigglekow
Jo Bromley yes I thought there would have been
Paul Rennie
Pauline Sigglekow that railcar used to start at Ross go through to Westport. Travelled on it many times between 56. 65 from Stillwater to Westport to visit Grandparents.
Should still have scenic passenger trips through the magnificent Lower Buller Gorge. Superb scenery.
James Flaherty
Yes two trips a day morning and afternoon
Ian Schroder
Looks like Slateys creek
Terry Harding
I seem to recall that the same thing ( checking the line for carrying suitability ) was done again just a few years ago at some horrendous cost. Of course nothing came of it.
Bruce Whitfield
Oh to have such a service again
Margaret Clare Buchanan
Super.
Terry Harding
I seem to recall that the same thing ( checking the line for carrying suitability ) was done again just a few years ago at some horrendous cost. Of course nothing came of it.
George Colligan
Not gunna happen again unfortunately
Warren Duthie
what bridge is this please
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West Coast New Zealand History (31st Mar 2024). Vulcan railcar - trip from Greymouth to Westport.1970.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 8th Apr 2026 13:02, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/30093