Key Takeaways
- Bill Town, a Foxton resident, is retiring from volunteering with Steam Incorporated after many years
- He has a lifelong passion for steam trains and has spent his career working on railways
- Town enjoys seeing people dressed up for events, particularly the Art Deco Festival
- He has fond memories of his time working on railways, especially the Napier to Gisborne section
- The 2026 Art Deco Festival will take place from February 19-22
Introduction to Bill Town’s Story
Bill Town, a Foxton resident, has announced that he will be retiring from volunteering with Steam Incorporated, a organization that operates steam trains. After a lifetime of working on railways and being involved with steam trains, Town has decided that his body is getting a bit aged, and it’s time to slow down. Despite this, he still has a passion for seeing people get dressed up for events, and he enjoys the comradeship of the staff at Steam Incorporated. With a career spanning many years, Town has many fond memories of his time working on railways, and he is looking forward to celebrating his last festival with his family.
A Career on the Railways
Town started working on railways at the age of 17 in Gisborne, and he spent the rest of his career working on railways and around trains. He had stints in Wairoa, Napier, and Wellington, and he describes his time on the railways as "bloody beautiful." He has always been fascinated by steam trains, and he fell in love with their noise and operation from a young age. Throughout his career, Town has had the opportunity to work on many different train lines, and he has developed a deep appreciation for the history and mechanics of steam trains. His experience and knowledge have been invaluable to Steam Incorporated, and he will be missed by his colleagues and the many people who have benefited from his expertise.
A Passion for Steam Trains
Town’s passion for steam trains is evident in the way he talks about them. He loves the noise, the operation, and the history of these iconic machines. Through his volunteering with Steam Incorporated, Town has been able to share his passion with others and introduce people to the world of steam trains. He has also had the opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated team of people who share his passion, and he values the comradeship and friendship that he has developed with them. As he looks back on his time with Steam Incorporated, Town is grateful for the experiences he has had and the people he has met. He is proud to have been a part of an organization that is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of steam trains.
Favourite Memories and Future Plans
One of Town’s favourite memories is of the Napier to Gisborne section of the train line, which is no longer in use. He would love to see this section reopened in the future, and he believes that it would be a great asset to the region. As for his future plans, Town is looking forward to celebrating his last festival with his family, who live in Hawke’s Bay. He is excited to see the many people who will be dressed up for the event, and he is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. The 2026 Art Deco Festival, which will take place from February 19-22, will be a special occasion for Town, and he is eager to make the most of it. With his family by his side, he will be able to look back on his many years of volunteering with Steam Incorporated and feel proud of what he has achieved.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Bill Town’s story is one of passion, dedication, and a love for steam trains. After many years of working on railways and volunteering with Steam Incorporated, he has decided to retire and slow down. Despite this, he will always be remembered for his contributions to the world of steam trains, and his legacy will live on through the many people he has inspired. As the 2026 Art Deco Festival approaches, Town is looking forward to celebrating his last festival with his family and friends. He is grateful for the experiences he has had, and he is proud to have been a part of an organization that is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of steam trains.
