-The Official Re-Opening of the Taihape Turntable-

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The Taihape Rotary Club has recently completed a three year project that has seen the original Taihape turntable reinstated in its original location at Taihape. In 2002-2003 Tranz Rail removed the turntable as part of a nationwide scrap drive. The turntable was stored in Wellington. Within months of its removable the local Rotary club realised that they would need a turntable if they wanted to be part of the Lower North Island steam train scene. They set about trying to locate the removed timetable and getting prices to get the turntable put back in the ground. Funding as obtained that allowed the turntable to be purchase, relocated, overhauled and reinstated back in the original pit. Also major drainage works was undertaken at the same time. The turntable is operated under Ontrack's Rail Licence, and can be used by any rail operator as required. This will now see steam hauled trains making Taihape its destination for day trips. Well done Taihape Rotary.

Rotary offically opened the newly reinstalled turntable by running a Wab hauled passenger train from Palmerston North to bring its members to this event. The Wab performed very well, pulling the seven passenger carriages, power van and water tanker to Taihape, a load of about 315 tonnes. A faster run was made in the downhill leg after the opening ceremony.

Photos taken by Stuart Anderson and Harry Prior