Quote from: 1936ace on January 27, 2014, 12:25:22 AM
Hey what's going on here sounds like breaking union rules no work on a work day let alone a Public hol weekend😀
Bart

Wouldn't normally but needed to get finished and clear up to be able to get to the pool as well as somewhere shady to sit.
and more 

Quote from: Komata on January 27, 2014, 01:14:51 AM
Andrew

Thanks


Nice to know your'e still with 'The old firm'

I was signalman at Newmarket, 1979-1986 before transferring to 'first Division' and exiting-out during the 'Great Downsizing' (after 15 1/2 years 'loyal service'); possibly a bit before your time I suspect.

'Twas long ago, and I was DEFINITELY younger.

(Still miss the whole rail thing though - odd that... )

Again, thanks.

Heya

Hate to say it, but it was a bit before my time. I started with Tranz Metro in Wellington on board in 2006 out of School, became a Signaller at age 21 at Otahuhu Box in 2008 with Ontrack, and a Locomotive Engineer in 2012 with Kiwirail then, and now with Transdev. Done several different jobs with several different employers, all with continuous service! Sadly Newmarket Box was one I missed out on (well, the old one anyway) as it shut just before I started, but I did visit it on several occasions. I remember it had a stunning view out across the Orakei Basin towards Rangitoto and beyond. There are rumours around that Newmarket used to be able to call A Box and tell them how big the shunt approaching 128 signal was?

I enjoy the job though, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't :-)

Good to see some more Kiwi's on the board!

H Andrew

Thanks for the reply.  As you say a bit before your time.  Newmarket Signal box was fully operational during my time. It had a fully operational set of 31 working 'tall' (traditional-type) levers (aka the sort usually seen in semaphore boxes) and as such was the last completely operational and working  'tall lever' box in the North island.  Not a white lever in sight... We also operated Newmarket South (near Remuera Rod) by remote control.

The rumours about Auckland were true - except that it was inevitably 19 shunt (yes, it WAS that long ago) that did the work.  merely getting tonnage from the West Yard to the up main was a very complicated operation (which we did every day, except Sunday) and involved two totally independant Train Controllers (North / South) two different systems (CTC, Double line Auto) and invariably occurred in the middle of the morning subbie rush hour ... Great fun (but only afterwards).  At the time one was somewhat busy, especially if things went wrong or the Train Controller's were becoming 'agitated' ('nuff said).

BTW, we could operate SEVEN trains simultaneously if required although that was VERY hard work, and thankfully didn't occur very often.

The  tonnage (always from Whangarei and 'points north') HAD to get to Auckland asap, and this meant it had to go  'down the hill.  At the time the Hill was 'restricted ' to 600 tonnes load maximum for a Da or Dc

Standard procedure was to tell 19-Shunt's driver the tonnage he would have if he chose to go and leave the decision to him (no radio's BTW until 1985).  He had the final say.  If he agreed Auckland 'A' box would be told and told to 'open everything up',  and to let us know when everything was set. This meant that the shunt had nothing in its way 'down the hill' and if anything went 'sideways' the shunt driver had a run-off to at least the Parnell baths on the waterfront.

The heaviest train I personally ever sent down the hill was 1,425 tonnes behind a single Da in November 1984  It made it safely, with no drama's.  This was probably not the heaviest ever, but my fellow signal men never kept records (unfortunately).  They were NOT railway enthusiasts, so who know's what went on that was never recorded.

All of this was of course HIGHLY illegal, especially as Newmarket had had been the site of a massive head-on accident in 1977, which killed a driver, due to unintended 'wrong line running' during a complete signal failure.  As a result of the Newmarket accident'  'Head Office' was always 'watching'.  However, the tonnage was always a priority (especially as a lot of it had to catch outbound container ships). this was a conundrum and 'management adopted the attitude that as a nod is as good as a wink to a blind man, if nothing untoward occurred' nothing would be said. But IF anything went wrong....

BTW (and to dispel the thought we were 'cowboys') We were definitely NOT fools, but rather railway professionals who were aware of the risks.  The fact that there was never an accident while this operation was being done on a daily basis (for probably at least 40 year) is its own statement..

And then of course there was '73 - another unique  train-movement  but that could be for another time (definitely not now)

However, all that has gone and the railway I knew is now only a dimly-remembered entity, useful for reminiscing about   Thanks for your reply,  and thanks for the 'nostalgia' kick - great fun...

We were younger then, and......

Quote from: kaiwhara on January 26, 2014, 09:40:25 PM
Public Holiday over here too, well, if you are a Kiwi living North of Taupo!

Happy Auckland Anniversary, and long may we not get a 6.2 magnitude quake like Wellington did last Monday on their Anniversary day!

I thought you Kiwis had to wait for Waitangi Day to let your hair down ?

Best regards,


Joe

Jumping partly off topic for a moment, both Komata and Kaiwhara are showing huge amounts of real railway experience. I know there are a lot of the UK members who are also on the railways - or have been. What about a thread where you contribute real stories and experiences? It would not want to be your autobio, but more some favoured reminiscences and exceptional stories, things outside the usual. What do you think?
cheers, Bill.

Quote from: 1936ace on January 27, 2014, 05:57:24 AM
Yes mate was told once be nice to your kids they choos your nursing home
Bart

By the way, Bill - I think that's a great idea.

George

Joe

Re: 'I thought you Kiwis had to wait for Waitangi Day to let your hair down ?'

To that one can only say 'If only...'

Unfortunately such is not the case!!  Despite being originally intended as a 'Day of National Unity', Waitangi Day has become the day upon-which a small and vocal minority of a somewhat-dubious ethnicity insist on reminding everyone else how badly they (and their ancestors) have been done-by for the last 177 years (conveniently overlooking reality and history while so-doing BTW).  Despite the fact that there are a dedicated group of politically-motivated 'usual suspects' who indulge in such things every year, the 'event' is given inordinate media coverage, and has become almost 'ritualised' in its politically-motivated activities.

To paraphrase your comment ......'Waitangi day is the day, for 99.98% of the country gets its hair PULLED OUT'!!

Sadly, very politicised and radicalised.  A day to avoid or try to ignore...

Most Kiwi's have now resigned themselves to the inevitability of the 'politicking' (which won't change anytime soon).  Instead they ignore the politics and use the day as the last holiday of the Summer, enjoying  it on that basis.

Hope this helps.

Sorry to hear that. I remember celebrating W Day in the UK back in 1980 with a colleague from New Zealand.

Best regards,


Joe

Thanks Joe

It does seem that Kiwi's celebrate Waitangi Day best when they are overseas, and away from the 'politiking' previously alluded-to.  The celebrations in London are especially renowned...

I think most Kiwi's (like myself) just treat it as another day off now, too much negativity associated with it. Waitangi Day doesn't have the same sort of charm as Australia day does now. 

As Australia Day has now passed for this year and there has been some fair old discussion on this, the topic is closed