Fifty year journey from Catlins to the Coast

Fifty years rail service that began with steam trains in the bush hasn’t changed the fact that Westport-based locomotive engineer Lindsay Young loves his job.

Lindsay joined New Zealand Rail as a porter in Dunedin in 1961.He served on Ab locomotives in the Catlins line in South Otago. When the Catlins line closed, Lindsay was transferred to Blenheim and Picton and then offered a job in Westport.

“I came over to the Coast and stayed. It just suits my lifestyle,” he says.

These days he drives coal trains through the Buller Gorge. “Each day is different. I love it – that’s me.”

In his spare time he likes walking. “I’m not a whitebaiter, I like eating them but that’s as far as it goes.”

I’m really pleased to get to 50. As long as my health holds up, I’ll keep going and see how it goes.”