Subs: A lot more outstanding subs have been paid* If you have a sexy RED spot beside this notice it means you haven't paid and this will be the last newsletter that I will have the pleasure to send to you.
Many thanks to all who have renewed. If you have a look at the back of your membership card you will notice a stamp entitling the holder and immediate family to two free-rides.
Before you put pen to paper it doesn't mean engine-drivers, firemen, guards etc will have to pay for every trip after the first two, mind you it would help our funds along.
The footbridge at Huntly was removed last month bound for a new life in Helensville. It was erected in 1939 to span the up main line and 2 shunting roads. When these two shunting roads were removed and a town bypass road put in their place, it was raised slightly to give move clearance. It seems rather odd that this bridge should be removed at a time when more passenger trains stop here than for many many years.
Tom Sharpe: Tom passed away 11-4-93. Although not a member of the club, he was known by older railfans and early club members as he drove our Peckett at Pukemiro until the mine closed and then locos at Rotowaro until he retired.
He is rumoured to have saved drawings of our Peckett although I haven't seen them. He last visited the Junction 18 months ago when a Junction re-union was held and, while studying the Peckett, was heard to comment it wasn't as clean as it used to be.
He had been ill for a long time. We extend our sympathy to John and the rest of Tom's family.
Film Evening: A film evening was held on Saturday the 3rd and proved a great success. Eric showed an hour long movie taken in 1955 of South Island steam - none of those fancy coloured locos of today. Classes of locos seen were W, WB, WE, WW, A large and small, AB, JA, G, Q, UB and UC plus lots of small locos on private railways. Its not until you see a film like this you realise how much has changed, plus I must admit the look of the blokes Eric was travelling with!
Many thanks Eric. The evening was rounded off with a cuppa and cakes. One comment though - how about cutting out a lot of the side yak!
Another evening will be held on July 3rd - same place same time. Don't forget the supper.
Open Days: The first for 1993 was held on 1-4-93 and was fairly quiet. The countryside was extremely dry until a few days beforehand, so it had been planned to use both Meremere diesels on the train and have the Peckett running up and down the yard. The rain had dampened the scrub enough to allow the Peckett out of the yard. The diesel did all the work on the hill while the Peckett made smoke, blew the whistle when required and looked the part.
Next open days are June the 6th and July the 4th.
We had a good return of work notices - please keep it up!!
Pukemiro Pickings:
Peckett: Back in use and going well.
Shop: Teresa has been busy, doing more painting but reckons she is getting sick of it. Can't see why as the jobs not finished yet - anyone else able to assist?
Ian B. has manufactured a BBQ and has loaned/donated a small LPG bottle - same thing really, Paula found it good to use last open day.
A lot of work has been done on the plumbing side and hopefully the kitchen will be in use soon. The water tank and stand are in place but we could do another square galvanised water tank for the shop if anyone knows where one is.
Working Bees: The next will be held on May 22-23, June 26-27 and July 24-25.
SEE YOU THERE!
Rats: The annual visitation from rats has started as the weather becomes colder. Andrew and Paula went into the hall a while ago and found the old kitchen full of smoke. A rat had chewed through the insulation of a cable just above the switchboard. The whole hall was full of the delicate aroma of deep fried rat - at least it was fresh Andrew! The only way out was to switch the power off and ask Bob Wiseman to come and repair the cable. Bob arrived a couple of days later and duly repaired said cable. The aroma was still around but not so strong.
Loco Shelter: Bob and Dick have continued work on this.
P.D. Gang: The gang is at the Junction most weeks and are always doing the more labour intensive jobs. One day recently Bob had part of the gang cleared rubbish and clay from the rails under the rear steam crane ready to dig a drain under the siding and main line and so to improve drainage from the area. Part way through the job, it was noticed that the web of both rails had rusted through. The job then turned to replacing the rails and sleepers so the drain still needs doing. Some of the sleepers were Puriri, so would have been in place for a day or two.
The other part of the gang that day were involved in a big clean up. Anything worth keeping was put out of the road and any junk was disposed of. The area around the station is clear for the first time in many years.
Trev borrowed a Hiab and shifted a vertical boiler that had sat beside the station for years. It is now at the side of the shop to stop buses or cars backing into the shop.
TR217 recently broke an engine mount and the extra weight proved too much for the engine mount on the other side. Quick work by Andrew and Colin Ewing had the engine mounts refitted the following weekend. When the engine dropped slightly, the air compressor in the side of the motor was damaged.
All who use this loco are to be aware, it has NO air brakes at present. The hand brake works OK.
Mainline Steam Trust now have a 1923 0-6-0 Bagnall loco from Tomoana Freezing works in Hawkes Bay. It was in constant use until 10 years ago and has been kept as standby loco. While somewhat out of keeping with the Trusts mainline locos, they intend using it around their depot on open days.
It is very pleasing to see some of the clubs previous members turning up at the Junction and threatening to become members again.
"Straw" came out a couple of weeks ago with a few goodies he had found in his locker -many thanks.
DON'T FORGET TO SEND IN YOUR WORK NOTICE
DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR SUBS IF YOU HAVE A SEXY RED SPOT