A question for the train enthusiasts out there

[Roscoe]

A friend of mine sent me a link to a video entitled "SOL and Taranaki Trains 1991" and I asked him what SOL meant. He said he was going to ask me.

Perhaps there is someone out there that can elucidate my ignorant self and my friend.

Thank you.

[smithie 38]

Stratford–Okahukura Line (SOL)

Cheers
Smithie

[1101]

Safe Operating Limit .
Sh8t Out of Luck

Issues arise when both apply at the same time

[Roscoe]

Stratford–Okahukura Line (SOL)

Cheers
Smithie

Thank you, Smithie. Given the area that it is in, that sounds correct.

And your second response, 1101, sounded good.

[R2x1]

Smashed Our Luggage.

[Neil F]

Slightly different take. When I was young (1960) there were railcars. I travelled on several e.g. Gisborne to Wairoa.(In UISA they were called ,I think, Streamliners. To the best olf my knowledge they only carried people -not freight Can anyone advise why railcars were discontinued? .

[Roscoe]

There is another thing that I have wondered about: I watch quite a few amateur train videos from the driver's point of view and I notice that there are a lot of rails lying alongside the line. There seems to be enough to start a branch line. I wonder why that is?

And have you noticed? The bells at many of the crossings are now electronic, but they don't have the sound of the real thing. They lack the sound of the clapper striking the bell. It's quite noticeable. But then I suppose it does not matter as long as it draws attention to the fact that there is a train crossing.

[kenj]

Slightly different take. When I was young (1960) there were railcars. I travelled on several e.g. Gisborne to Wairoa.(In UISA they were called ,I think, Streamliners. To the best olf my knowledge they only carried people -not freight Can anyone advise why railcars were discontinued? .

You were probably driven by my Father in Law. He drove them for some years prior to his retirement. He started as a boy at Cross Creek (Featherston) 1920?

Ken

[Roscoe]

Slightly different take. When I was young (1960) there were railcars. I travelled on several e.g. Gisborne to Wairoa.(In UISA they were called ,I think, Streamliners. To the best olf my knowledge they only carried people -not freight Can anyone advise why railcars were discontinued? .

I recall railcars carrying a small amount of parcels, newspapers, that sort of thing in the luggage compartment. That was also where the guard rode. They did not call it freight in those days, they called it goods.

A possible reason why they were discontinued could have been the competition from cars, buses and planes.

[pcuser42]

There is another thing that I have wondered about: I watch quite a few amateur train videos from the driver's point of view and I notice that there are a lot of rails lying alongside the line. There seems to be enough to start a branch line. I wonder why that is?

Possibly either new rails waiting to go in, or old rails that were just replaced and waiting to be picked up.