Taieri Gorge Railway Train Blaze

An engine fire on the Taieri Gorge Railway forced the famous tourist train to stop whilst crossing a viaduct. The train was making a routine journey from Dunedin earlier this afternoon and carrying a small number of passengers when an engine unit caught fire. The blaze forced the drivers to stop the train and passengers were instructed to move towards the back of the carriage before being told to disembark on to the Flatstream Viaduct until the fire could be brought under control.
As passengers walked off the viaduct they watched the fire being tackled and the undamaged carriages being uncoupled. A second diesel engine was fortunately also present and was able to pull the still burning engine to a side track near the original destination of Pukerangi, before returning to collect the remaining carriages and passengers some time later.
The train staff, aided by some passengers, handled the situation safely and efficiently before providing complimentary warm drinks to those aboard.