Tangiwai Memorial Service

Before the start of the ceremony, DFB 7160 passes over the Tangiwai bridge with the Northern Explorer. The train was scheduled to pass through during the ceremony, but a delayed Jb 1236 also delayed the ceremony

7 May 2017

DFB 7160 slowed right down to join in with the memorial, sounding a long blast on its horn before and while it crossed the bridge

7 May 2017

The viewing deck on the Northern Explorer was packed while the train crossed the bridge

7 May 2017

An announcement being made that the ceremony will be delayed owing to the delayed excursion from Palmerston North. Members of Lance Redman's family are on board the train so the ceremony had to wait for the train to arrive

7 May 2017

Buckets placed in the river bed represent the resting place of the carriages. This bucket shows where the second carriage landed

7 May 2017

The buckets representing the tender and first carriage lie on the other side of the river

7 May 2017

EF 30134 creeps onto the bridge at Tangiwai. The locomotive was taken off train 240 and headed back south to rescue Jb 1236, as it was not able to generate enough steam

7 May 2017

Across the bridge, EF 30134 had its pantograph lowered as the WPI siding is not electrified. Jb 1236 pushed EF 30134 and pulled its train across the bridge

7 May 2017

Jb 1236 makes its appearance at Tangiwai, having now arrived almost 2 hours behind schedule

7 May 2017

Jb 1236 rolls across the bridge with its train

7 May 2017

Jb 1236 pushed EF 30134 into the siding

7 May 2017

The excursion from Palmerston North used the Capital Connection carriages, as Mainline Steam's own carriages were in use for another charter

7 May 2017

The second trainload of passengers were also given a traditional Maori welcome

7 May 2017

The passengers from Palmerston North enter the Tangiwai memorial site

7 May 2017

Dignitaries are greeted onto the site. They included Cultural and Heritage Minister Hon. Maggie Barry and Ruapehu District mayor Don Cameron

7 May 2017

Hon. Maggie Barry gives her speech after the ceremony is opened

7 May 2017

Hon. Maggie Barry speaks about the disaster

7 May 2017

Maggie Barry presents a cheque for $40,000, as the Government's contribution to the Tangiwai memorial

7 May 2017

Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie takes his spot on the stand to give his speech

7 May 2017

Representing KiwiRail, Group General Manager for KiwiRail Freight Rob McAlpine takes the stand

7 May 2017

For the RMTU, general secretary Wayne Butson talks about the importance of health and safety

7 May 2017

Ja 1275 parks on the bridge during two minute's silence

7 May 2017

Driver Tim Kerwin and fireman Richard Norton prepare to drop a wreath from the cab of Ja 1275 into the river

7 May 2017

The wreath is dropped into the river from Ja 1275

7 May 2017