As the work load in our little corner of the railway world is seasonal, when winter comes along we generally dont have much to do. Our rostered work shrinks dramatically and generally if its not nightshift running 529 down to Bunnythorpe to get 520, its either an early start taking 520 from Whareroa to New Plymouth and then running 52 shunt, or its an afternoon shift running 528 to NP and bringing 529 back....
I must admit the inner foamer in me has all but dissapeared. I dont know if its just the slow sleepy winter pace or my growing displeasure with my employers ravenous and savage cost cutting frugality and overall negative outlook whilst being strangled from above by extremely short sighted politicians. Its hard to remain positive when they are making gangers redundant, cancelling contracts and retrenching all areas. Apparently we will be dumped into an SOE next year that will no doubt be offloaded by the Nats in an effort to "recover the cost burden bought about by the previous government."
*sigh*
I wont linger on it, or go into the details here, as I have moved on, the whole situation at the time and days following chalked up to "character building" and being one of life's more intense experiences.
As I alluded before, its winter, there is not a great deal to report, and I spend most of time running trains in the dark, all of which lessens the chances of taking train photos. That said, there are a few recent snaps below.
Things will start picking up again soon and perhaps getting back into the swing of things will lift spirits and gain a few more photos....
Until next time..
AH