Going Loco in the South Pacific:
I first met Tim, a person whom I consider to be the ultimate railfan, in the early 2000’s while visiting our son who lives in the Cook Islands. How our son ended up there is another story but for simplicity, we'll credit the Peace Corp. Tim, a gentleman lawyer on the Island of Rarotonga, purchased a 20 ton Polish 0-8-0 narrow gauge steam engine and had it shipped 15,000 miles to this tiny island with a land surface area of approximately 25 square miles. In February of 1992, the #1741 was off loaded onto the Avatiu Wharf. For the next 10+ years, Tim in his spare time and almost single handedly, restored this machine and gave it life again. The boiler of the engine was found to be in excellent condition but in order to be fully inspected, all the tubes had to be cut away and replaced with new ones. New bearings were forged and machined also by Tim and he even constructed a wheel drop pit for later repairs if so needed. Many parts have been renewed or replaced, scraped clean and repainted. Finally, in February 2002, the engine was back in full steam. Tim’s train depot featured tea and cookies, a pictorial display of classic steam locomotives and several rides back and forth over 170 meters of track in his backyard. He also, on occasion, lets you take the wheel, so to speak. On an environmental note, the 0-8-0’s firebox consumes old buildings and other junk burnables the island offers.
Last I saw, he was in the process of constructing some carriages so people could ride in comfort instead of sitting on the tenders bleachers.
Enjoy the pictures, Cheers, Dave
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Tim with his pride and Joy!
Outside the back shop!
The Depot: Get your tickets, hot tea and a biscuit for the ride!
Train shed and photo display:
Two rail-fanners in the South Pacific!
We got Steam!
The back shop!
Fuel stop with a little help from your's truly!
My turn at the "wheel":
All aboard!
We got the High-Ball!
Tim working on the new carriages!
Our three grand kids enjoyed the ride!
