The Oamaru Steam and Rail Society general manager had spent more than a year building up to Saturday’s big moment.
The 36-tonne vehicle slid into Oamaru’s Quarry Siding on time at 11am as if it was only yesterday that it had been plying Wellington’s tracks, not quite 60 years ago.
Saturday’s launch was testament to untold hours of volunteer work, the blood, sweat and tears that it takes to raise a rail car from the ashes.
It was also testament to the fortitude of Mr Andrew, who told those gathered along the harbour that he had not known if he would be able to make it to the event after spending Friday in hospital.
He thanked the audience for coming out on a “beautiful” day and of the hulking Phoenix to his right, he said: “I hope you enjoy it.”
The Phoenix was blessed by the Right Rev Rose Luxford, whose prayer praised the vision, hard work and ingenuity that had gone into the restoration of the railcar, which was “rising from the ashes, so to speak”.
The day also marked the release of Oamaru Steam and Rail and the Rail History of North Otago, by Oamaru-based journalist and author Jacquie Webby.
