RM121 is owned and being restored
by the RM133 Trust who shares the Pahiatua site with the Pahiatua
Railcar Society Inc. Anyone can
join the trust as a supporter for $20 per year and are welcome
to assist with the task of restoring this valuable heritage item
of the New Zealand Railways.
RM133 was thought to be the
last twin unit in existence and in use by the rescue services
at Auckland International Airport until obtained by the RM133
Trust, a collection of individuals, some of who are members of
PRS.
RM121
at Masterton - photo: Graham McClare
In 2003 another twinset was
'discovered' with one half in Waitomo and the whereabouts of other
half unknown although rumours were circulating about a North Auckland
location. Some meticulous detective work was carried out by one
of the trusts' members and eventually it was located sitting in
a quarry near Kerikeri.
RM121
at Auckland - photo: Peter Trevor
After negotiations with the
owner, this half of RM121, that was the same as the burnt out
end of RM133, was purchased and transported south to Pahiatua.
Initially it was planned to restore this in conjunction with the
good end of RM133 to have a Drewry twinset railcar finally operational
on the mainlines of New Zealand once again.
The idea of contacting the
owner of the other end of RM121 was floated and after negotiations,
an arrangement was reached that should see this end in Pahiatua
in the near future.
RM121 is the 22nd unit out
of 35 built and was New Zealand Railways most numerous railcar
class.
Members
gather regularly every third week to continue the restoration
process. Click here to check
on the latest progress.
