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https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/566354/new-kiwirail-director-scott-o-donnell-linked-to-nz-first-donation-government-loan
Scott O’Donnell is one of the four directors of Dynes Transport Tapanui, [Dunedin] which donated $20,000 to NZ First in July 2024.
The company is also involved in a project which recently received a government regional infrastructure loan of $8 million…
Minister for Rail Winston Peters’ announcement of Scott O’Donnell’s appointment to state-owned KiwiRail last week noted a conflict of interest plan was in place related to O’Donnell’s business interests.
“The company’s road freight operation is primarily south of Oamaru, and as such Mr O’Donnell will recuse himself from KiwiRail activities in this part of New Zealand,” said Peters in the press statement…
He said O’Donnell “brings actual experience to the role” and would bolster KiwiRail’s freight expertise and that his commercial interests were disclosed during the appointment process.
“Actual experience”? Up till now we have only had fans of model railways running the system have we? Bound to go pear-shaped that.
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Link is Arlo Guthrie singing Steve Goodman’s song The Train they Call the City of New Orleans – the camera goes for a ride brings good shots of the great country-connectors with words so you can sing along with Arlo. Great song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF1lqEQFVUo
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We can’t lose our rail but work has to start on new tracks particularly in SouthIsland by the coast. Start now before everyone who has some puff don’t get moved out by the rodents.
!**>>>>See here a sample of the many which can be viewed from google youtube –
I put search’Youtube Railway songs of New Zealand’ (so that’s a start for bringing ones with songs or without). I’ve looked up separately Peter Cape’s song ‘Taumaranui’ and put at the end.
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NZAO – The Okaihau Express – (Far North of the North Island NZ)
by Peter Cape and thanks to Brockie Broadcasting Co.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWNzMm0vB_c
Back in the late 50’s early 60’s Peter Cape wrote and performed a number of
vernacular ballards including “The Okaihau Express” about the train serving that
small New Zealand community at the northern end of the North Island railway.
The song originally came out on Kiwi Records as an extended play 45.
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Much footage of newer rail trips and NZ farming country as we know it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-TNBCyWPe0
New Zealand Rail Scene Vol 85 — The Magic of NZ Railways – 3.22m
New Zealand Rail Scene Vol 85 is now on HMTV : The Railfan DVD series covers activities of rail operation in New Zealand including KiwiRail, Tranz Scenic passenger, heritage steam and diesel-electric hauled mainline excursions, locomotive restoration projects, archive footage, operational railway museums and preserved tracks.
In this volume is:
Ab 608 – ‘South Island Rail Tour’
A 428 & Ab 608 – ‘Weka Pass Railfans’ Festival
Ww 644 Celebrates 100 Years
plus more…
Featured on the video is Ian Shields “Ashfields Light Railway” and BrockRail No1
built by Jon Prescott Engineering
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Mighty Trains: Kiwi Rail | Season 2 Episode 5 (Full Episode) | 46m
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4vJ6tLQWIU
A comprehensive video showing KiwiRail on the go, the country in its variety, and referring to the problems that affect the rail service. We should not let that put us off as these affect the roads also. Rail can keep the country going with huge loads, roads result in individual difficulties to business. Rail should be ours, the public, and could still be as it isn’t an attractive profit-maker; for private types to run a public service is not attractive or easy, as they have an individual world view. It requires thought, commitment, nous and experience.
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Playlist Best of NZSteam 40 videos to choose from:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgREeRssJeWQiOzySvqxswXBJtiBzZu0c
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UDc655w4Rc
Taumarunui on the Main Trunk Line 3.32
Ruapehu District Council
Christopher Cape plays guitar and sings his father’s song.
Kia Ora all – hope you enjoyed this. Let’s work to keep this useful piece of NZ transport structure going. Should we have a memorial day encompassing a meeting where engineers and geologists talk about the best route for a replacement line and any new ways of dealing with washed out line and destroyed bridges. So we are prepared for difficult times and can try to be resilient for the Kiwis who love this country and how we have made it to bring us all together in our enterprise.
Nga mihi.
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