Ja1250 "Diana"

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J^A 1250, also known as Diana, is a New Zealand J^A class 4-8-2 steam tender locomotive locomotive owned by Phil Goldman. Currently she is operated by the Railway Enthusiasts Society and maintained by the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

[edit] History

J^A 1250 was built in 1949 at Hillside Workshops. Phil Goldman purchased it from New Zealand Rail. Ted Pointon became the GVR’s key mechanical person leading the team restoring it to operating condition.

[edit] Excursions

The locomotive is used twice a year as part of Glenbrook Vintage Railway's Thomas the Tank Engine Day and also operates on some mainline excusrions. In 2006 Diana hauled scheduled passenger services, after a 35-year break.

In November 1969, on the last day of scheduled steam operations, Diana double headed (with J 1234) an excursion from Dunedin to Palmerston and back. During this trip funds were raised to assist with the preservation of J^A 1274.

In February 1992, J 1234, K^A 945, J^A 1250, DA 1431 and F 163 hauled passenger trains operated in connection with the 2nd BP Pan Pacific Car Rally at Palmerston North.

In mid 2006 Diana was used to a haul the The Overlander as part of the Steam Engine Saturdays Excursions. These ran every second Saturday for 2 months.