Railcar returns to NP after 44-year absence

Not seen in the Taranaki district for 44 years, Standard railcar RM 31 Tokomaru returns to New Plymouth for the first time since December 1972 in an historic run from its base at the Pahiatua Railcar Society in the Tararua District this Labour Weekend.

RM 31 is one of six standard class railcars built at the Hutt railway workshops between 1938/1939 as an innovative way to provide comfortable and fast provincial rail services in an effort to replace the slower and costly steam hauled express trains and also compete with the rise of private motor vehicles.

Each of the six Standard railcars was known by the names of famous Maori canoes and were primarily designed for provincial services. In November 1938 RM 30 Aotea arrived in New Plymouth on a trial run and created ‘‘intense public interest’’.

In April 1939 a dedicated service commenced between Wellington and New Plymouth which would be their mainstay for 33 years until being displaced by the Blue Streak twinset railcars in December 1972. They ran until July 1977 ending a popular rail service that hasn’t been replaced to this day.

After withdrawal in December 1972, RM 31 was saved by the late John Murphy and included a substantial amount of spare parts from the two scrapped Standard cars.

RM 31 has been based at the Pahiatua Railcar Society since 2001 and has since undergone overhauls of its engines and transmissions along with various other works to bring it up to mainline running condition. Still largely in original ‘‘as retired’’ condition RM 31 has been a popular attraction on various excursions trips around the lower North Island,

Tokomaru arrives at the old New Plymouth station site now know known as Puke Ariki on Saturday the October 22 and on the Sunday will be running six short trips for the public operating between Puke Ariki and Lepperton return, departing at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm before returning to Pahiatua on the Monday.

Tickets for the shuttles can be booked through New Plymouth i-Site. Fares are adult $25, child $20 plus family concessions.