Rail Gets Political

With rail being a hotly debated topic in the 2014 election, sooner or later charters were going to happen. This did happen, with New Zealand First chartering Ww 644 from Pukeoware to Waiuku

31 August 2014

The Winston Express sign. The train was named after the New Zealand First leader Winston Peters

31 August 2014

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and candidate Jon Reeves arrive at Pukeoware

31 August 2014

In the depot, regular maintenance is under way on the carriages, with DSA 243 moving them around as necessary

31 August 2014

Media and NZ First members gather around Ww 644 for photographs

31 August 2014

Ww 644 puts on a show departing Pukeoware, despite the rather light train

31 August 2014

Ww 644 powers up the grade out of Pukeoware

31 August 2014

At Waiuku, New Zealand First member and supporters met the train

31 August 2014

Ww 644 pulls into Victoria Ave station

31 August 2014

Winston Peters and Jon Reeves pose for photos, before heading off to the Kentish Hotel in Waiuku

31 August 2014

Ww 644 runs around the short train

31 August 2014

Passing the solitary carriage

31 August 2014

Ww 644's exhaust blows in the wind as it reverses onto the carriage

31 August 2014

Ww 644 shortly before returning to Pukeoware empty

31 August 2014

The tiny train gets under way from Victoria Ave

31 August 2014