Hundreds of our city folk made for Invercargill train station to catch a blast from the past. The crowds came to see a working steam locomotive with passenger carriages roll into Invercargill as part of a South Island length tour to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War 1.

The 100 year old AB Class loco Passchendaele battled against strong head winds to be just a tad fashionably late for the waiting crowds of young and old.

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More ardent train spotters and photographers were seen at many rail level crossings in the city ready to get the perfect shot of steam billowing from the smoke stack and recordings of that distinctive whistle.

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Dozens of young school children at the station were more than excited to have this close brush with history.

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Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt, Southland District mayor Gary Tong and Town Crier Lynley McKerrow along with an accordion group were on hand to welcome the visitors from far and wide to Southland’s charms and bitterly cold winds.

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Word on the platform was that sights like this may become rarer as qualified steam loco engineers are declining in numbers.

12179000_10153024216136577_1024817075_n — Southland Town Crier Lynley McKerrow. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

However steam buff Brian Campbell was encouraged by the visit. Mr Campbell is driving plans to bring the old Kingston Flyer trains and rolling stock for repairs and refurbishment and to run them between Invers and Bluff.

More photos added below courtesy of Dave Loudon from DAL Photographics

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The Day A Steam Train Came To Town

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