{"product_id":"beyond-the-tasman-mike-adams-9781763719613","title":"Beyond the Tasman: A Train Driver's Journey to Australia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBEYOND THE TASMAN: A TRAIN DRIVER'S JOURNEY TO AUSTRALIA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the golden age of steam was fading in New Zealand, Mike Adams knew it was time for a new adventure. With diesel engines taking over and the government shifting its focus to road transport, he and fellow train drivers set their sights across the Tasman. Their destination? The rugged iron ore railways of Western Australia's remote Pilbara region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMike's journey didn't stop there. After a decade on the rails, he returned to Melbourne to drive the charming \u003cem\u003ePuffing Billy\u003c\/em\u003e, a beloved tourist railway that kept the spirit of steam alive. Later, he transitioned to a new challenge in Perth, mastering the operation of massive industrial steam boilers. But steam never left his heart-he lovingly rebuilt his cherished steamboat, \u003cem\u003eJessie Edward\u003c\/em\u003e, and had the rare honour of driving \u003cem\u003ePendennis Castle\u003c\/em\u003e, a legendary British locomotive brought to Australia by Hamersley Iron.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd if that wasn't enough, Mike even took the helm of a true cinematic icon-the original\u003cem\u003e African Queen\u003c\/em\u003e from the classic movie-steaming down Melbourne's Yarra River.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePacked with nostalgia, adventure, and a deep love for steam, \u003cem\u003e Beyond the Tasman\u003c\/em\u003e is the captivating story of a man who followed the call of the rails, no matter where they led.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is Mike's second book, following \u003cem\u003eOver Jenkins Hill and Beyond\u003c\/em\u003e, which tells the story of his early railway career-from starting as a 17-year-old fireman to becoming a steam train driver in New Zealand's South Island.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Mike Adams\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1763719618\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781763719613\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Kozkan Productions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 118\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.88lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.69h x 8.27w x 0.32d","brand":"Mike Adams","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48800551960831,"sku":"9781763719613","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/beyond-the-tasman-mike-adams-9781763719613","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}