Easter 1998, although I stand to be corrected, F163 then based at Palmerston North ran a return trip to Whanganui. This trip was filmed by the late John Kelly.
F163 is one of nine surviving members of its class and the only one in mainline running condition. This particular engine has been operational since it was first used on the NZR in 1881. It was kept by NZR as part of its heritage fleet until 1993, when it was handed to the Rail Heritage Trust who based the locomotive at Palmerston North. In 2002, the F-group joined with Feilding Steam Rail to become the Feilding and Districts Steam Rail Society, and F163 was relocated to the Feilding depot where today she is still lovingly looked after..