As a small boy, I always wanted to have a train set, but one never came my
way. So, when I heard a local tramline society was seeking new members, I thought
- yes, this could be good, and I contact them and this was the beginning. I
attended the first "Club Day" - checking rolling stock, carrying out
maintenance and doing line checks weeding and other such novel things. I get
my first look, sound and smell of - "The Loco". I can say smell, as
this was the first time they were running a new motor in the loco, the old one
apparently having gone to that motor heaven in the celestial garage in the sky.
As the new motor warmed up, the smell of hot paint totally subdues the smell
of diesel - especially in the tunnel.
I begin to get to know some of the members, and also, the newbies - like myself.
It is both a new world, and yet one I can relate to as if from a former life.
The rolling stock is assembled, the loco is maneuvered and I watch closely,
noting the controls and observing how things work. We all get on board and head
through George's Tunnel and on to Picnic Flat, where lawn mowers are unloaded
and I find myself on the end of one, mowing the grass. A break for lunch, and
then we are ready to go on up to the Waitakere Dam.
Now, a month later, the initial checks have been done, ballast loaded and all
is ready to head up the line.
"Would you like to have a drive?"
My heart pounds - panic - I'm not ready - and, nodding, I climb into the cab.
I have watched enough times - I tell myself, how hard can it be.
"You know the signals?"
Yes, I have had a couple of trips in the morning and have worked out 2 to go
and 1 to stop. Somebody explained them to me and also 3 to reverse.
"This is the throttle - and that is the hydraulic control."
Yes I know, I have watched etc etc!
"Give the engine plenty of revs and control the speed with the hydraulics."
Uh huh - yep, I think I've got that. Pull the throttle a bit and the engine
revs obligingly.
Push on the hydraulic - it doesn't seem to want to move. Push a bit harder -
"This little lever has to be moved forward to allow the hydraulic to be
used."
"When it is in the middle position, it locks the hydraulic, and to reverse,
it must be pulled back."
Oh, I didn't pick that up. Okay, now I can move the hydraulic lever. The engine
revs drop alarmingly. The engine doesn't move. I increase the revs and the engine
starts to move - making a grating sound and seeming very reluctant.
"You need to take off the brake."
Damn! I should have thought of that. I blush and unwind the brake and the engine
begins to move freely. A bit more of a push on the hydraulic and there is jerk
as we pick up speed. Hmmm, this hydraulic lever is pretty stiff.
Now we are under way and the tunnel mouth is looming. We are going too fast.
Pull back on the hydraulic and the trains jerks to a stop. Damn - must try and
get used to this lever. Gently move it forward, using the side of the little
box beside it to push against. Ah! Yes, now we are moving more smoothly.
We are in the tunnel, where is the light switch - yes - got it.
Ding! The signal to stop. Pull back on the hydraulic. Damn, still too jerky.
I look back and see Chris gesticulating! Oh yes, turn on the carriage lights.
Ding ding! Okay, we are off again. This time I concentrate and we move off much
more smoothly (I think) We stop at the west tunnel entrance and then on to Picnic
Flat. I think I am getting the hang of this and am starting to relax a bit.
Yes, I can do this, I am actually driving the train! On my second club day!
Wow! I'm totally hooked.