My Life as a Locomotive Engineer

From his earliest childhood memories, author Kevin Tasker always wanted to be an “enginedriver”.
Starting the job at Napier loco depot in 1960, a period of time when he was fortunate to have worked many steam operations between Gisborne and Woodville before the final fires were extinguished in June 1967. Following successive examinations, moving through though “C” and “B” rosters, Kevin finally moved to the top roster in 1986, running hot-shot freights and passenger jobs in the Bay on diesel-electric locomotives. While the diesel railway was the backbone of his employment, he opted to certify as a fireman and driver for steam excursions, with many of those operations recalled in detail. Of course, the operational railway included interesting moments and those retold include breakdowns, restructuring, single-man operation, fighting to stay awake, speed, track incidents, closure of the old depot, decline of the Gisborne line, and heading for retirement.

Having retired, Kevin was asked to return for steam specials, but eventually ended up back working part-time, training-up and operating the latest DL class diesel electric locomotives.

His 55-year career spans an interesting period of railway operation that makes a fascinating read.

Format: Paperback
Imprint: New Zealand Railway & Locomotive So
Publication date: 25/11/2022