Awakeri Rail Adventure

Awakeri Rail Adventures - this looks like the place.  We drove 50kms back to Awakeri today to “ride the rails” on one of those dinky little  rail carts, traveling along the former Taneatua Branch Line.

This historic rail line opened in 1927 and was part of the east coast main trunk line terminating in Taneatua.  When the Kaimai tunnel opened in 1978, the terminus was changed to Kawerau and this line then became the Taneatua Branch Line.  Rail traffic declined over the years and the line closed in 2001.  Awakeri Rail Adventures was set up by former NZR engine driver, Paul Francis in 2014, after hard work clearing the overgrown track.   We were to travel on modified golf carts, although we weren’t going anywhere until we were given the necessary safety briefing.

 

Golf carts ready and waiting

As we were the only booking for the day, we had an exclusive trip with the boss man.  Robin was given instructions on how to operate the cart, and I was given responsibility of becoming the radio operator.  This notice was firmly attached to the steering wheel, which incidentally, does no steering at all!

Read and take note of the sign

Ready for our rail adventure

The wheels on the cart made a delightful “Clackety Clack” railway sound as we trundled along, slowing at the Slow and pausing at the Give Way signs as the railway line passed over bridges and farm tracks.    The two way radio crackled to life instructing Robin to “Pull up here by the orange cone”.  My goodness, just look at all the birds racing to meet us, chooks, ducks and geese.  They know it must be feeding time, and we were handed a container of corn to feed them.  I’ve never had such a crowd so happy to see me!  There was some rather handsome plumage on the roosters, together with very sharp looking spurs, I noticed.

Here, chooky chook

Our next stop was at the 4.5 hectare  White Pine Bush Reserve, a rare example of untouched lowland kahikatea forest.  We took a bush walk into the reserve and our guide pointed out a 600 year old kahikatea tree so tall we couldn't see the top.  How wonderful that this piece of forest has been saved from the axe for all to enjoy.

White Pine Bush Reserve

Our next stop was  in the middle of nowhere at a rather rustic shelter.  The billy was boiled, tea,  coffee, and biscuits produced, and we settled down to enjoy our afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea time

Just around the corner was the Ladies Loo.  Oh my, just what is Donald Trump doing in there?  He’s obviously waiting to pounce on the next lady to walk through the door!  Luckily Paul jumped to my defense, gave Donald a short shift,  and rescued me from a fate worse than death.

Out you go, Donald

Climbing aboard again we trundled up to the  end of the line at Pekatahi.

End of the line

Paul had built a very clever turntable and both carts were soon turned about for the homewards journey.  It was very easy to operate and he could do it single handed.

Turning the carts around

It was much quicker on the return trip with no stops on the homeward journey.  We spotted several pheasants and quail on the side of the track as we traveled along, they soon flew off when we came too close.  And look, here we are, back we we started from at Awakeri Station.

The driver and the radio operator

It was a wonderful trip, something we had wanted to do for a while, and we certainly enjoyed our afternoon riding the rails.  Thoroughly recommended and such good fun.