By email
Shed 39, 2 Fryat Quay
Pipitea, Wellington 6011
PO Box 11646
25 May 2016
Manners Street
Wellington 6142
T 04 384 5708
File Re
f: OIAP-7-1496
F 04 385 6960
www.gw.govt.nz
Iain Palmer
[FYI request #4021 email]
Dear Mr Palmer
Request for information 2016 - 044
I refer to your request for information dated 18 May 2016, which was received by Greater
Wellington Regional Council on 18 May 2016. You have requested the following information:
“
What considerations have been given into the preservation of a Ganz Mavg EMU within the
Wellington Region in addition to the unit (called SuperGanz) persevered at Ferrymead,
Christchurch.”
Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC’s) response follows.
The preserved Ganz Mavag two-car unit includes a refurbished EM motor car 1373 (known as
SuperGanz) and its ET trailer car 3373. The decision to preserve the Ganz Mavag unit was made on
the ground that it is desirable to retain a portion of Wellington’s Railway history in New Zealand.
GWRC then considered a number of options to make sure that preservation of the unit would be
accomplished in a reasonably acceptable and cost-effective manner. This included the consideration
that interested heritage organisations would be able to prove they have the resources and capacity
required to preserve the heritage rolling stock.
GWRC asked the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand to identify any rail heritage organisations
which would be interested in the preservation of the 1373 Ganz Mavag unit. As a result, the
Canterbury Railway Society (CRS) was recommended, which is located at Ferrymead in
Christchurch. CRS has an electrical traction system capable of operating the Ganz Mavag, and has
an existing collection of commuter rail vehicles, including two 2-Car English Electrics, one owned
by CRS and another by the National Rail Museum. CRS has also proven its ability to maintain,
preserve and operate rolling stock, and proposed to loan and display the Ganz Mavag unit at the
National Railway Museum (also located at Ferrymead). CRS have also arranged transportation to
Christchurch with KiwiRail at no cost to GWRC or Greater Wellington Rail Limited (GWRL).
GWRC also considered a proposal by the Wellington Heritage Multiple Unit Preservation Trust
(WHMUPT), who also showed their willingness to receive and preserve the Ganz Mavag unit.
RESPONSE TO OIA 2016 - 044
WHMUPT was primarily formed to take ownership of a 3-car English Electric, also known as
Cyclops, which is held on the premises of the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust in
Maymorn. While WHMUPT is local, it was clear from the proposed terms that the organisation had
minimal resources available to take on the preservation of additional rail assets. Based on the
proposed terms, GWRC needed to bear the cost of transportation and related insurance of the unit,
and had to provide further assistance and resources through KiwiRail to prepare the access track and
the site in advance of the unit arriving at the Maymorn facility. Further discussions with WHMUPT
revealed that they were not in a position to fund the receipt of the Ganz Mavag, and hence the unit
was donated to Canterbury Railway Society.
If you have any concerns with the decision(s) referred to in this letter, you have the right to request
an investigation and review by the Ombudsman under section 27(3) of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Yours sincerely
Wayne Hastie General Manager, Public Transport
RESPONSE TO OIA 2016 - 044
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