Silver Fern Railcar RM24 Needs Your Help

Silver Fern Railcar RM24 was selected as the first car for restoration as it offered the least amount of work required overall both structurally and mechanically to eventually progress a Silver Fern through to registration for excursions and charters on the national rail network.

Currently, RM24’s cars have been separated with the DE2 car is positioned and landlocked in the workshop for structural work. To date the cab has been completely de-skinned with corrosion repairs well underway. The ‘A’ side of the saloon has also been de skinned below the windows with clean up and corrosion removal underway. This also allows the DE1 (engine) car to keep mobile for steam cleaning, bogie changes, inspection with component change out and other mechanical service work.

To date we have received significant grants from Trust House Masterton & Grassroots Trust Central to allow the fabrication of all new corrugated cladding for both sides of the entire railcar and these currently being manufactured at Etech NZ Ltd in Palmerston North. However, we still need to fund additional elements for the repair work which include structural steel material, electrical and mechanical repairs.

To keep this restoration on track we are appealing to our followers and supporters, your financial support will see Silver Fern Railcar RM24 return to NZs rails in the very near future.