You are receiving this email as a member and supporter of Mainline Steam Heritage Trust. This edition is a special edition to chronicle the awards Mainline Steam received at the recent FRONZ conference.

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Conference 2016.

Over Queens Birthday weekend 2016, FRONZ (Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand) held their annual conference in Auckland. It was attended by around 100 delegates from various rail preservation and operational organisations from around New Zealand.

There were a number of guest speakers from NZTA, Tracksafe New Zealand, Asia Pacific Heritage and Tourist Rail Organisation, KiwiRail, Navigatus Consulting and Keynote speaker Tim Fischer an ex-Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and noted railfan.

The weekend was an excellent opportunity to catch up with representatives from other groups and to discuss issues we all have in common.

As well as the in house workshops and discussions there were some excellent field trips to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, MOTAT and the Driving Creek Railway.

On Sunday night the 2016 FRONZ Awards Dinner was held and a number of organisations were recognised for their preservation efforts. Mainline Steam received 3 awards and they are detailed below.

Z Mini Tankers non-steam Locomotive Award

Awarded to Mainline Steam Heritage Trust for their restoration of Price shunting engine No. 213.

Lindsay Challis - Mainline Steam Christchurch Depot, and Grant Craig - FRONZ President.
Photo right and below by David Maciulaitis.

Shantytown Steam School Steam locomotive Restoration Award

Awarded to the Mainline Steam Heritage Trust for their restoration of Ja 1240 'Jessica'.

Photo below left; Michael Tolich - Mainline Steam, Ian Tibbles - Shantytown Steam School, Gary Farquhar - Mainline Steam.
Photo by David Maciulaitis.

Ja1240 lower photo by Michael Tolich.
Ja1240 unrestored photo. MLS Collection.

Dunedin Railways - Taieri Gorge Railway and The Seasider Carriage Restoration Award

Awarded to the Mainline Steam Heritage Trust for their restoration of 56ft car AO48.

Grant Craig - President of FRONZ and Rob Martin, Mainline Steam.
Photo below left by David Maciulaitis.
Photo below right AO48 under restoration. MLS Collection.
Main photo AO48 completed. Rob Martin.

Mainline Steam was honored to receive these awards at the FRONZ 2016 Awards dinner. These awards are a tribute to Ian Welch for his perseverance and determination to preserve examples of New Zealand's rail history in full working order. It is also a tribute to all the Mainline Steam Volunteers who give up their time and put a huge amount of effort into the preservation and restoration of this equipment. Thank you to you all.