A 150-year-old train has been discovered buried in the sand near Whanganui Port, surprising workers and train enthusiasts alike. The locomotive, named Skunk, had been hidden under the beach for about 75 years.
The discovery happened last month during flood protection and upgrade work near the harbour’s south mole. Contractors were digging when they hit something hard. It turned out to be one of the earliest trains used in New Zealand, once running between Palmerston North and Foxton back in 1876.
On Thursday, the Skunk was carefully lifted from the sand and taken to the Steam Rail Whanganui yard for inspection. Blair Johnson, the president of the group, said many people had searched for the train over the years, but this was the first time it had been found.
The train had travelled through the Manawatū and even worked in Westport on the South Island before ending its journey in Whanganui in 1918. It was left behind during the construction of part of the city’s port.
Although rusty, the train is in better condition than expected. The main parts, like the boiler and chassis, are still mostly intact. While the Skunk can’t be made to run again, it could become a museum display for people to enjoy.
A fundraising campaign is expected to start soon to help cover the cost of restoring the train for public viewing.
