About
- New Zealand
The Blenheim Riverside Railway (BRRS or BRR) is a narrow gauge (24 inch) heritage railway in Blenheim, New Zealand that runs along the Taylor River which winds its way through the middle of the town. It is operated by the all-volunteer Blenheim Riverside Railway Society.
Locomotives
The railway has two operational locomotives. A & G Price No. 166 is a 6.5 tonne, 0-4-0 diesel-mechanical from the Ohai coal mines (one of only three built). During 2010 it was refurbished with a new engine and named 'George'. It is now powered by an Isuzu diesel with automatic transmission. The other loco is a Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0, 5.5 tonne, diesel-mechanical named "Murray" (no. 170204) powered by a 3-cylinder Lister JP engine, which worked at the Milton Lime works. It was regauged from 2' 6" by the Society. Being restored is 0-4-2 steam locomotive 'Donald' from the Puponga Coal Mine in Puponga, near Collingwood. A railcar made by a member of the Society and powered by a 2.0L Toyota diesel engine is sometimes used.
Rolling stock
The four main passenger carriages seat 24 people in 4-person bench seat configuration. They are all the same design except for carriage No. 4, which has an underslung compartment for jacks etc. for use in a derailment or the like. All passenger rolling stock is air braked. In the track work-train there are typically a ballast wagon, two flat deck wagons, a tool wagon and a staff car. There are a six man jigger, two man and a four man jigger, all ex NZR, and a hand trolley, a track sprayer wagon and a grass mower on railway wheels, bolster bogies capable of carrying a digger and other storage wagons.
Equipment/Facilities
The railway has a tractor and digger for excavation work, with all track work being done by volunteers with handtools. The workshop has a pit, and a small turntable for wagons/jiggers etc.
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