ON March 25, Glenbrook Vintage Railway’s Ww 4-6-4T No. 644 (NZ Railways Hillside Works 179/1915) hauled its first excursion on the New Zealand main line network since 1970.
Back then, the loco was used to haul the Railway Enthusiasts’ Society 1970 Railfans Tour from Greymouth to Christchurch on the South Island. This was part of its delivery trip from Greymouth to Auckland in March/April 1970 on the way to preservation at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.