Elephant

The Workhorse of Driving Creek Railway

Elephant is Driving Creek Railway's first purpose-built locomotive, a rugged and dependable diesel-powered engine that has hauled wagons, construction materials, clay, timber, and eventually people, up the steep grades of the Coromandel hills since 1979.

The locomotive was conceived during the expansion of the railway beyond Vindickt No.1, when Barry Brickell's original engine, Dieselmouse, could no longer manage the steep inclines with heavy loads. Barry partnered with Fitzroy Engineering in New Plymouth, who constructed Elephant's twin Heisler-style 4-wheel bogies in exchange for ceramic mural commissions. The heart of Elephant is a 50hp Ford diesel engine, reclaimed from a truck and paired with a manual marine reversing box, Chevrolet V8 differential, and an array of recycled mechanical components, reflecting Barry's knack for ingenious, resourceful engineering.

"It could easily pull two fully laden ballast wagons up the steepest grades and was easy to drive." - Barry Brickell

Elephant's early years were humble—cab-less, bonnet-less, with a pallet deck and a beer crate for a seat—but it quickly became the backbone of the railway's construction phase. Over time, it was upgraded with a cab, engine cover, and safety improvements. Despite its makeshift beginnings, Elephant proved itself on the steep 1-in-14 grades and tight curves of the railway and remains in service today, primarily for hauling materials and work trains.

Named for its power and presence, Elephant embodies the spirit of kiwi ingenuity and the ethos of Driving Creek: creative, practical, and grounded in the land it serves.

Snake

The Articulated Pioneer of Driving Creek Railway

Snake was born out of necessity and innovation. By 1991, Driving Creek Railway’s popularity had grown beyond the capacity of the original train, Elephant, which could no longer keep up with the influx of visitors. Recognizing the need for a higher-capacity vehicle, Barry Brickell set out in 1992 to design a train that could carry an entire busload—36 passengers—and navigate the steep gradients and tight curves of his hand-built railway.

Without any precedent to follow, Barry drafted plans at his pottery studio drawing table, envisioning a triple-bodied, double-articulated railcar resting on four bogies. It was named Snake for its ability to wind—or "snake"—its way through the railway's tortuous layout.

The construction of Snake was led by Neil Wedderburn, a young fitter-welder with no formal trade certificates but abundant talent and drive. The project was ambitious, involving a complex chain-driven transmission system that powered all 16 wheels—a mechanical “centipede,” as Barry described it. Despite a tight deadline and engineering challenges, Snake made its maiden test run on Christmas Eve 1992.

While initially successful, Snake was plagued by maintenance issues due to its intricate mechanical drivetrain. Chains broke frequently, reversing boxes jolted violently, and damp workshop pits with frogs became part of daily life for maintenance staff. Nonetheless, Snake ran reliably enough to justify its cost—$77,000—and laid the groundwork for future articulated railcars at Driving Creek.

In 1997, Snake was retrofitted with hydraulic drive to improve reliability. Over the years, it continued to evolve, incorporating upgraded wheels, bearings, and suspension to handle the sharp curves and second-hand rail. Despite its complexity, Snake proved to be a durable, high-capacity workhorse, serving the railway through some of its busiest years.

More than just a train, Snake represents a turning point in Barry Brickell’s engineering legacy—a bold experiment that connected artistry, mechanical innovation, and tourism in the heart of the Coromandel forest.

Possum

The Compact Railcar with a Big Legacy

Possum is Driving Creek Railway’s plucky and ingenious self-propelled railcar, born in 1994 from Barry Brickell’s relentless drive to improve performance and passenger capacity. Originally a standard carriage, Possum was transformed into a powered railcar after the team decided to install a 20hp Mitsubishi diesel engine beneath the central seating area—sacrificing one seat in the process, but launching a whole new chapter in locomotive design.

Its drivetrain was a Kiwi-engineered marvel of improvisation: a transverse engine mounted under a seat, a right-angle gearbox, chain-driven shafts, and differentials from a Triumph Herald car—all linked together in a complex web of mechanical motion. As Barry put it, Possum became a kind of Heath Robinson contraption—brilliant, but temperamental. The reversing box needed constant adjustment, and the engine sometimes stalled on steeper grades when fully loaded.

Despite its quirks, Possum was loved by staff and passengers alike. It gained a reputation for spirit and charm—even when things didn’t go perfectly. One memorable breakdown saw Possum stranded mid-run, but guests still praised the experience, saying they enjoyed being part of the adventure.

To improve reliability, Possum underwent a significant upgrade in 1998. The failing Japanese engine was replaced with a Lombardini diesel and a hydraulic drive system, making Possum smoother, quieter, and more consistent. Later adjustments included new wheels from A. & G. Price Ltd., air-brake integration, and a series of belt, chain, and motor replacements—all part of Possum’s continuous evolution.

Over the years, Possum worked alongside Snake and Linx in double-header trips and continued to serve reliably even as newer trains entered the fleet. It remains one of New Zealand’s most distinctive small railcars—a working example of creative problem-solving, perseverance, and handmade engineering in the heart of the Coromandel forest.

Linx

The Ultimate Railcar of Driving Creek

Linx is Driving Creek Railway’s most advanced and ambitious locomotive, purpose-built to meet the growing demands of passenger transport while staying true to the creative engineering spirit of founder Barry Brickell. Designed and constructed between 2002 and 2004, Linx entered service on January 1st, 2005, replacing the earlier combination of Elephant and Possum, and immediately set a new standard for performance, comfort, and innovation on the line.

The design of Linx featured a three-chassis articulated unit mounted on four self-steering bogies, powered by 16 individual hydraulic motors—one for each wheel. This radical departure from conventional railway design allowed Linx to tackle the steep, winding gradients of the Driving Creek track while reducing wear and improving passenger comfort. The interior was just as thoughtfully crafted, with varnished macrocarpa woodwork, perspex floor panels over the bogies for mechanical viewing, and Beran Whitcombe’s circular “basket” seats, which became an instant hit with children.

Linx’s name came from the unique self-steering linkage system at its heart. Though “Lynx” was initially considered, the name was revised to “Linx” after a workshop suggestion—cleverly referencing both the train’s mechanical linkages and avoiding association with an ill-fated ferry of the same name.

Its early days weren’t without challenges. Hydraulic leaks, throttle issues, and even derailments occurred during its first months. But through ongoing refinement—including the development of a bogie derailment warning system—Linx evolved into a reliable and safe engine, clocking thousands of kilometres and becoming the mainstay of the Driving Creek Railway experience.

By 2008, Linx had made over 2,600 return trips to the Eyefull Tower, covering 14,121 km—equivalent to 23 trips between Auckland and Wellington—and had more than paid for itself.

Today, Linx stands as the ultimate embodiment of Barry Brickell’s philosophy: inventive, practical, artistic, and engineered in harmony with the land it serves.