Train Meet 2011
Train Meet, Mana Ariki, Taumarunui, 6-10 January 2011
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for loco owners and their families, and the public, to visit the private Mana Ariki Marae and Railway to operate and ride on the longest miniature railway in New Zealand. This weekend was especially for 7 1/4" scale steam, diesel and electric locomotives and was held from 6-10 January 2011.
The Mana Ariki Marae and Railway is just 6 km north of Taumarunui in the central North Island of New Zealand on the east side of the river.
Weekend diary
Friday was reserved for "boys and their toys" running, with drivers testing their skill on the 3.2 kilometre long track. Running repairs to some locos kept the "brains trusts" functioning well with everyone helping out as needed. Visiting locos were from Wellington, Levin, Manukau, Tauranga, Hamilton, Cambridge, Napier and Blenheim, and visitors from around the country and Australia also arrived to enjoy the weekend.
Group at Mana Ariki on Monday.
Saturday's weather could be summed up in 3 words - warm, fine, calm, with predictions of a scorcher of a day. After the official opening of the Marae's newly redecorated Betty's Boulevard, the official party were treated to a circuit of the track. Then it was opened to the public and all the locos were out on the track. Sometimes the station was full, other times it was deserted, with only the youngsters racing around with the hand operated jigger. Other young hands manned the water hose and ticket clippers, and enjoyed rides on each of the trains.
After a hangi evening meal, the showtime band put on a concert on the newly dedicated stage.
Sunday was the second public running day and a repeat of Saturday's weather - warm, fine, calm.
While there were lower public numbers, about 10 locos operated all day with few incidents, except one derailment and slight damage at Pioneers Station. This prompted a quick repair job with a portable welder, then a few of the locos held up ran slowly over the repaired points. After that there were no more problems.
A double header of DG750 and 500 did about five circuits of the track including the last of the day. They were followed by Dave Giles on his Phantom so Dale could video the circuit from behind. When we got back to the station, Mr Giles announced that it was the fastest circuit he had ever done! He also told Lyall and Mike that they almost qualified for a speeding ticket. Secretly though, it was the most fun Gilesy had had all weekend!
Monday - weather fine, warm, calm. This was the day reserved for reverse running. Some of the drivers were pretty excited by the prospect of going round the track the wrong way, and Dave Giles confirmed it was the first time in ten years that it had been done. But first all the trailing points had to be wedged open! Then we were off!
After morning tea, all the locos steamed up and rolled out for a photo shoot by RailScene to be published in March 2011. There were 7 locos on the track one after the other as we chugged past the video cameras at various points around the track (See YouTube Video 1 below). Luckily one of the last circuits by DG760 spotted a couple of grass fires caused by a steamer, which had the potential to get out of control, but some quick action by the passengers saved the day.
After a lovely lunch provided by the Marae, we packed up and left, happy, full and tired.
A huge vote of thanks go to the Mana Ariki Marae staff and volunteers for welcoming us to their special place, for feeding and accommodating us and providing security for the weekend. Thanks also to Dave Giles and his team for organising the event, and all the loco drivers and visitors for helping to make the weekend so successful.
The Mana Ariki Train Meet 2011 can be summed up in three quotes: Awesome track! Awesome place! Awesome people!
YouTube Videos
View these YouTube videos of the weekend.
- Grand Parade - Reverse Running
- Double Header - DG760 and Aspen Southern Railway 500 - full circuit.
- Double Header - DG760 and Aspen Southern Railway 500.
Photo gallery
View our photo gallery of images taken by Dale Hartle in 2007 at our last visit to Mana Ariki.
History of Mana Ariki
ALEXANDER PHILLIPS CBE QSM - MANA ARIKI MARAE AND RAILWAY - TAUMARUNUI
Mr Phillips worked as a ganger for New Zealand Rail before and after World War Two, maintaining the main trunk line between Taumarunui, up the Rarimu Spiral to National Park. As funds became available he purchased the land which is now the site of the Mana Ariki Marae as we know it today.
The steep mountain slopes in the surrounding area were covered with pumice and other materials that blew out from the massive explosion which formed Lake Taupo hundreds of years ago.
Mr Phillips worked very hard, planted grass, raised sheep and cattle on the farm until he raised sufficient finance to build the buildings as part of his vision to establish a marae that was based on unity where all colours, race and creed could meet and work together in harmony.
His tireless efforts helping young Maori folk get their lives in order earned him a CBE in 1986 and QSM in 1995.
Upon his retirement from NZR he had always thought that one day he would like to have his own miniature railway on the Marae site as a fun thing for the many children and adults that were congregating on the Marae site very weekend.
In 1993 he approached Dave Giles from Ikon Locomotive Works to survey and design the 3000 metre long 7.25" gauge miniature railway on the mountainous site with steep hills and deep gullies. Pegs were driven where he wanted the lower and upper stations and the two Diesel Electric locomotives and passenger carrying rolling stock were ordered.
After the track was designed and the survey completed the 20+ workers living on the Marae site started at 7 am and worked to 7 pm daily with tractors, diggers and a Euclid truck to prepare the track bed up the mountain. While this was happening hundreds of rail track sections were being manufactured in the workshop and a roundhouse built to store locomotives.
The track laying was completed 6 months later and we had the grand opening of the railway in January 1994.This magnificent miniature railway has attracted live steam train fans from many countries around the world to ride, drive and marvel at the civil engineering undertaken by the willing team of unskilled helpers guided by track designer Dave Giles.
Every year in early March, train enthusiasts from around New Zealand bring their locomotives to test their driving skills hauling passengers on this great big small gauge railway. The Marae with its many food stalls and other craft outlets is open to the public one weekend per month, so you can enjoy this hidden treasure 6 km north of Taumarunui on the east side of the river.
Next Model Engineering Convention
The next Convention is being held in Whangarei from 5-9 January 2012. Visit the Whangarei Model Engineering Club website for details.