Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc.
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Its not often that REALLY large passenger trains stop at Ormondville nowadays, but the train that is otherwise known as the Capital Connection put the station and surrounds through its paces in the late afternoon of 9 September 2000, On that occasion, some 450 passengers popped in for a quick visit. The train had carried people from the Wanganui area to the Hastings Blossom Festival. We had expected them in the morning, but rain and technical difficulties involving the train saw the stop transferred to its late afternoon passing.
By this time the weather was much better and, although it caused an abrupt end to our committee meeting (!!), the substitute stopover was much better the way it happened - albeit that the light was not great for photography.
It was amusing to watch the speed at which some passengers leaped off the train, over the fence and disappeared into the Settlers Arms. Many others spent their visit in and around the station, before the train's horn blew, the station's bell rang, and train and people vanished into the sunset.
The following photos show the train from Norsewood-Ormondville Road end, from the other end near the water vat, our stall operators preparing to cope with the subsequent rush for souvenirs as visitors are funnelled through the station, the train departing toward Makotuku - and finally, stunned and amused ORPG people and locals recover from the 15-20 minute frantic rush.
