Riding a Steam Train

The Kingston Flyer is a historic steam train that runs from the township of Kingston, south of Lake Wakatipu, to the small nowhere town of Fairlight. It is an inspiring experience thundering through rolling hills in the heart of New Zealand's mountain and lake country.


The Kingston Flyer stationed at Fairlight, waiting to depart. The Ab795 was a class of 4-6-2 (4 leading wheels, 6 coupled driving wheels and 2 trailing wheels) Pacific tender steam locomotive. The Ab class were the largest class of steam locomotives to ever run in New Zealand. The Ab engine class was versatile and efficient, and reputedly was the first engine to generate one horsepower for every 100 pounds of weight. The rolling stock used on the line consists of seven wooden passenger carriages that date as far back as 1898

      

The luxuriant interior of the private booths was a contrast to the already comfortable and lavish carriages. The seats are a faded plush leather and the room was walled with beautiful polished wood panelling. Brass latches, hooks, screws and fasteners adorn the coach the way a noble women is adorned with gold earrings and necklaces. A train designed for comfort, the seats were well spaced and padded with soft leather. Brass trimmings decorate the interior of the train.


A brief video of the Steam Train passing by, with a zoom in on the wheels showing the moving parts. It is easy to identify the 4-6-2 engine style of the Pacific class. Riding on a steam train is noisey and travelling is uneven. There is a rhthymic swaying as the pistons lurch the train forwards and metal chains and couplings crash and rattle. Standing on the rear of the train there is a constant rain of embers and ash from the trail of sulphurous smoke overhead. The train wears a thin layer of soot, dampened by the steam, and your hands come away from railings with smudged stains. Shrubs and grass either side of the track is blackened by sparks igniting small bushfires. Thistle seeds get sucked under the train and spat out at the rear, where they rise up in a vortex of motes and follow the train until the breeze carries them elsewhere.

Links to Sites about Steam Trains and steam engines:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/
This website has an enormous amount of information with links to websites and museums and organisations all around the world.

BBC Archive of TV and radio programs about steam trains.

How Steam Trains work
A useful site illustrating the parts of a steam train and how they interact.