A group of Southland rail enthusiasts is working to restore a 19th-century steam locomotive regarded as the lifeblood of New Zealand’s early railway system. Reported by 1News.
The F150 steam locomotive is part of the F class of engines built in Glasgow in the late 1800s. At the height of its use, the model became one of the most widely operated locomotives across the country.
After being retired in the 1950s, the historic train spent time as a playground feature in Invercargill and later toured various parts of New Zealand before eventually returning to the South Island.
Now, the Southern Steam Charitable Trust is working to bring the locomotive back into service, with hopes it will help boost regional tourism.
The trust plans to run the restored engine on the recently mothballed Ohai line — formerly used to transport coal until its closure in 2023 — as well as on special trips between Invercargill and Bluff and for other heritage events.
The restoration is a significant undertaking, with several components so heavily rusted they will need to be completely rebuilt.
Buckingham said while it was a mammoth task ahead, "many hands make light work".
The trust has thanked local residents and businesses who have already stepped in to offer skills, discounts, and support toward the $1 million fundraising target.
"These are challenging times at the moment but if we can get the funding in place, we do anticipate that we could have the project basically up and running in a year's time," Southern Steam Train trustee Roger Beattie said.
Buckingham said community contributions — big and small — were vital to the project.
"I've got one donator who puts in $10 every two weeks just as a regular thing," he said.
"We're obviously chasing some of the bigger funders around and continuing to make applications and we trust that we'll be successful and raise the balance."
The charity hopes the locomotive will be fully restored and ready to run by Christmas later this year.
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