Ew1805 moves to Mainline Steam at Plimmerton 21.8.2005.
21st August 2005

On 21st August 2005, Ew1805 made its delivery run to its new home at Mainline Steam at Plimmerton. The loco ran by its own power from Wellington to Paekakariki and was then towed back to Plimmerton by DC4611 where it was backed into the preservation group's yard. Ew1805 was one of seven of the class introduced in 1952. The English Electric built Bo-Bo-Bo class were used on the Wellington 1600V system, and could often be found working trains between Wellington and Paekakariki which at that time was the end of the wires. By 1983 the class had all been withdrawn. Two locos of this class survive, Ew1805 and 1806; the latter can be found at Ferrymead in Christchurch. This album covers the events of the day from Wellington depot through to Plimmerton.

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Ew1805 slumbers inside the Wellington loco depot early on Sunday 21st August 2005. Ew1805 was introduced in 1952.
Ew1805 slumbers inside the Wellington loco depot early on Sunday 21st August 2005. Ew1805 was introduced in 1952.
 DC4611 was used to drag the Ew through the yard to the single electrified depot road for its ongoing journey to Wellington station.
DC4611 was used to drag the Ew through the yard to the single electrified depot road for its ongoing journey to Wellington station.
 A livery lineup not likely to be repeated for some time! DSJ4045 shunted EW1805 towards the waiting DC4611 to which it was then coupled.
A livery lineup not likely to be repeated for some time! DSJ4045 shunted EW1805 towards the waiting DC4611 to which it was then coupled.
 DSJ4045 was started up to drag Ew1805 from the shed. The DSJ is seen in former Tranz Rail 'bumble bee' livery.
DSJ4045 was started up to drag Ew1805 from the shed. The DSJ is seen in former Tranz Rail 'bumble bee' livery.
The duo set off and pass the Wellington motorway flyover.
The duo set off and pass the Wellington motorway flyover.
 With pantograph raised, Ew1805 slowly moves through the Wellington Station throat to approach Platform 9 where it was displayed for around 90 minutes.
With pantograph raised, Ew1805 slowly moves through the Wellington Station throat to approach Platform 9 where it was displayed for around 90 minutes.
 Fred Hamer, a railwayman for 50 years drove the Ew on its historic journey.
Fred Hamer, a railwayman for 50 years drove the Ew on its historic journey.
 Posing with the original numberplate from Ew1805 is Euan McQueen, a noted railway author and new owner Ian Welch. Ian is adding this last working Ew example to his extensive collection of locomotives at Mainline Steam at Plimmerton.
Posing with the original numberplate from Ew1805 is Euan McQueen, a noted railway author and new owner Ian Welch. Ian is adding this last working Ew example to his extensive collection of locomotives at Mainline Steam at Plimmerton.
New owner Ian Welch and Fred Hamer pose with the original numberplate from the loco. It is understood a new casting from the original is to be made to be fixed to the loco.
New owner Ian Welch and Fred Hamer pose with the original numberplate from the loco. It is understood a new casting from the original is to be made to be fixed to the loco.
 Fred Hamer poses on the front of Ew1805, a loco he would have driven many times before their withdrawal.
Fred Hamer poses on the front of Ew1805, a loco he would have driven many times before their withdrawal.
 Fred Hamer sits at the control desk of Ew1805.
Fred Hamer sits at the control desk of Ew1805.
 As well as plenty of enthusiast interest at the platform, print and television media were in attendance. Fred Hamer is seen conducting an interview with John Newton of One News.
As well as plenty of enthusiast interest at the platform, print and television media were in attendance. Fred Hamer is seen conducting an interview with John Newton of One News.
Further north at Porirua, the duo are captured passing the Porirua harbour.
Further north at Porirua, the duo are captured passing the Porirua harbour.
 Leaving Wellington, Ew1805 and DC4611 travelled north under the wires towards Paekakariki. The pair were first captured passing over the Porirua Stream near Takapu Road station.
Leaving Wellington, Ew1805 and DC4611 travelled north under the wires towards Paekakariki. The pair were first captured passing over the Porirua Stream near Takapu Road station.
 Glorious sunshine greeted the pair as they passed through Mana station and its bus shelter type waiting accommodation. Not a soul was there to greet the locos as they passed by.
Glorious sunshine greeted the pair as they passed through Mana station and its bus shelter type waiting accommodation. Not a soul was there to greet the locos as they passed by.
 Having arrived at Paekakariki, Ew1805 and DC4611 were placed in the unwired loop for further photographic opportunities.
Having arrived at Paekakariki, Ew1805 and DC4611 were placed in the unwired loop for further photographic opportunities.
Nearing the end of their northbound journey, Ew1805 and DC4611 approach Paekakariki.
Nearing the end of their northbound journey, Ew1805 and DC4611 approach Paekakariki.
 Old and new(er) electric traction. As the Ew class were withdrawn the Ganz-Mavag units were introduced in 1982/3. A southbound unit passes Ew1805.
Old and new(er) electric traction. As the Ew class were withdrawn the Ganz-Mavag units were introduced in 1982/3. A southbound unit passes Ew1805.
 Having climbed the steep bank from Paekakariki, DC4611 and Ew1805 enter Muri Station.
Having climbed the steep bank from Paekakariki, DC4611 and Ew1805 enter Muri Station.
 It was soon time to make the delivery run to Plimmerton. DC4611 tows the now dead Ew1805 away from Paekakariki.
It was soon time to make the delivery run to Plimmerton. DC4611 tows the now dead Ew1805 away from Paekakariki.
Back at Paekakariki for the first time in 22 years! Ew1805 must be pleased to be back. Enthusiasts can only hope that perhaps one day the Ew will have some of Steam Inc's red carriages attached for trips around Wellington's electrified network.
Back at Paekakariki for the first time in 22 years! Ew1805 must be pleased to be back. Enthusiasts can only hope that perhaps one day the Ew will have some of Steam Inc's red carriages attached for trips around Wellington's electrified network.
 A nice touch for the occasion was the moving out into the yard of Ab663. The differing power locomotives tentatively get to know each other.
A nice touch for the occasion was the moving out into the yard of Ab663. The differing power locomotives tentatively get to know each other.
 Ew1805 stands in the yard with its new home, Mainline Steam, seen in the background.
Ew1805 stands in the yard with its new home, Mainline Steam, seen in the background.
 Journey's end - Plimmerton - home of Mainline Steam in Wellington.
Journey's end - Plimmerton - home of Mainline Steam in Wellington.
A line-up of some of the Mainline Steam crew and Toll Rail drivers involved in the move.
A line-up of some of the Mainline Steam crew and Toll Rail drivers involved in the move.
 DC4611 gently shunts Ew1805 into Mainline Steam's yard.
DC4611 gently shunts Ew1805 into Mainline Steam's yard.
 A final view of Ab663 and Ew1805 as they bask in the winter sunshine at Mainline Steam's Plimmerton yard.
A final view of Ab663 and Ew1805 as they bask in the winter sunshine at Mainline Steam's Plimmerton yard.
© 1998-2009 Alan Wickens - All copyrights rest with the Author
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