After weeks of planning 'Cyclops' - the sole remaining 3-car English Electric multiple unit set - arrived at the Trust's Maymorn station on Sunday 21 April.
Trust members have put in a huge amount of work into the move. Connecting track was built and a number of other infrastructure and commissioning tasks were brought forward in time for the move. Rail compliance requirements were managed by the Trust, requiring negotiation and signoff from all the parties involved in the move, with final approval issued by the New Zealand Transport Agency on 10 April.
Over the weekend of 20-21 April the Trust worked alongside KiwiRail to prepare and connect the Wairarapa Line to our siding at Maymorn. Our siding track was extended, mainline rails cut and temporary sleepers inserted to form the temporary connection. A test slew of the rails was carried out on Saturday 21 April to ensure all would go to plan. On Sunday morning the unit was towed from Hutt Workshops to Upper Hutt. A block of line put in place, rails slewed and connected, and Cyclops was propelled in.
The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to able to assist the the Wellington Multiple Unit Preservation Heritage Trust with their goal of saving at least one English Electric set for future operation on the Wellington urban network. Preservation of such a significant part of Wellington's railway history is a great heritage outcome. Credit goes to Greater Wellington Regional Council for donating Cyclops to the multiple unit trust and for funding the move by rail from Hutt Workshops to Maymorn. KiwiRail have also been a major player in saving unit, sponsoring the slew of line required to connect to the Trust's network at Maymorn.
The 'Cyclops' set had its final run on the Johnsonville line on 19 March 2012. Three remaining blue liveried ex-Johnsonville sets were used on the Hutt Valley line for a few more months through to June 2012, with a last run made from Wellington to Melling return on 25 June 2012. English Electric units served Wellington's commuters and travelling public for 74 years and it is fitting that a unit has been saved for the Wellington region.
Early Saturday 20th work commenced with a break made in our fence and formation excavated to mainline. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald
Rails and sleepers extending out through fence towards mainline. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald
Test slew of mainline rails to connect to the siding. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald
Lunch break inside our shed for all involved on Saturday - a welcome retreat from the weather. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald
Both mainline rails slewed on Sunday, with a final check made of gauge, whilst Cyclops waits down the line. Photo: Hugh McCracken
Cyclops propelled slowly though the slew into our site. Photo: Hugh McCracken
KiwiRail track staff keep a careful watch whilst Cyclops is propelled through the slew. Photo: Hugh McCracken
A view down the Rimutaka Incline Railway siding as Cyclops is propelled through the slew. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald
Cyclops on Rimutaka Incline Railway track at Maymorn after passing through the slew.. Photo: Hugh McCracken
Once Cyclops was safely on site all involved took time out for a group shot. Personnel from KiwiRail, Wellington Heritage Multiple Unit Preservation Trust and Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust. Thanks to all! Photo: KiwiRail Ltd.