Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc.

The Bay Express' last run - Sunday, 7 October 2001

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The Bay Express' last run was not a sunny experience, and certainly not on its southbound run. Doubtless many of our members turned out for one last look at various points on its route. For my part, my 'last day' began on the Mihaere Drive Overpass, Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North, with someone else who had the same idea. There we photographed the train moments before it thundered beneath our feet - which was a strange experience - before the other guy took off to follow the train.

Alan and Shirley Flaus, of Hastings, met the southbound train at Hastings station, where they videoed and photographed it. The driver told them that there had been a crowd on the platform at Ormondville, complete with the luggage trolley. This inspired the Flaus' also to drive to Ormondville (about an hour's drive), which included a thunder storm around Waipawa-Waipukurau. There was no-one there when they arrived, but Tony Severinson, from across the road from the station, told them that a crowd had awaited the train in the morning, including people dressed in old-style clothing, including an old railway costume. Some had stayed at the B&B on Friday night and others on Saturday night, so we await with interest to hear more on this - such as who they were??

Anyway, the Flaus' settled in for a second time to await the train's last visit to Ormondville, including the station bell. The train duly arrived and stopped just long enough to ensure it was not collecting anyone there. Meanwhile the Flaus' got more photos, rang the bell and the train was on its way. A few minutes later the Heaps family (our B&B hosts) and someone wanting to see the train, both arrived - but too late of course to see the last cruise-by up close.

Evidently a significant number of people chased the train to photograph it throughout its last trip: for example, Alan and Kay Brabender (Alan is also noted for driving it and its buddies). Stu Heaps met an Aussie guy with a map somewhere, who was trying to find Ormondville and Takapau Stations. A bit late for Takapau Station of course. We wonder if this was some last minute market research on behalf of West Coast Railway?????

As a result of the closure of the service from this date, combined with the school holidays, a great many people had taken the opportunity to travel on the train - some for the first time. On this last day, a Napier bus company had also enabled Hawkes Bay and Manawatu people to obtain a train/bus trip between the two places. Obviously it is a great shame that it has taken the pending closure to attract people aboard - especially in the light of many positive comments made by passengers, who had been unaware of the various virtues of this train service. These included the freedom to walk about during travel (especially when children were involved), the servery and the back window.

Anyway, these photos show the southbound Bay Express' last visit to Palmerston North station - at about 5:20-5:30pm.

Pulling into the station - with the cars of the weekday commuter train - the Capital Connection - parked up on the left.

Switching drivers

Farewells (i.e. the train manager - forgot her name unfortunately - and Steven Brabender)

More sad and slightly emotional farewells and a streamer for good measure

Final farewells, a particularly sad-sounding blast of the horn, and the Bay Express was on the road again - for a couple more hours anyway...

Just a dot in the distance... The station's booking office also ceased to be operated with the departure of this train.