SUBS: Thank you to all who have paid. If this newsletter has a red sticker on it - you haven't paid and this will be the last newsletter you receive.
A.G.M: This was held on 26/3 as advertised. Attendance was slightly down on last year. As there were no nominations for committee, the whole committee was re-elected. From the answers given to members questions, it would appear the committee are mind readers, very good at guessing, or that you do the right thing by discussing problems or suggestions as they arise.
A very enjoyable BBQ. was held for lunch. A tremendous amount of work has been done since last newsletter by our regular band of workers - are you one?
SHOP: The outside has had a coat of yellowy cream top coat. If you think the colour too yellow, you should have seen the original colour before toning down. The colour was supposed to be "wheat" - the same as Mary & Eric's hut. Colour charts said the mix was for "wheat" but the applied paint didn't look faintly like it. Ian and Teresa have spent a lot of time on the painting. It is hoped to very shortly have wrapped pies for sale - these are NOT a give-away for lunch on open days. If you want one - buy it the same as everyone else.
No.3 CAR: The P.D. Gang have made a start on the painting of this car. At present, it has been sanded down and undercoated.
JIGGER SHED: This shed was arranged courtesy of Peter Jones. It has 3 separate compartments - room for 2 jiggers and storage. It was transported by a well known transport firm, who also supplied the means of unloading said shed.
A site is being prepared to put the shed, so soon the jiggers will be under cover. The shed needs a few doors making - any offers?
SANDFILL: - or the new express way; Since last newsletter, Coalcorp have spent another week working on this. They have dug a new cutting side on the top end - this will ease the curve onto the embankment from the top end. The culvert has been extended on the Junction end, the drain into the culvert re-shaped and the batter of the embankment is about 7 metres across, rather better than the just sleeper width of the old formation.
The rails between Downers Crossing and the embankment mentioned in last newsletter have been removed, and all sleepers stacked out of the way ready to have the roadbed graded. The embankment was inspected by some of our members after the AGM, who were impressed with the work.
Another train load of rails was unloaded during mid March by Trev, Colin and Andrew. There is very little loose track still to recover - about 4 tracksets and 1 701b turnout. No start has been made on lifting the Rotowaro end of our line and can't really be until the line to the new embankment has been relaid. The large flat areas nearby are the only place to store a large amount of rails and sleepers.
Richard and Bob have been cleaning down and painting the roofs of our wooden box wagons.
Dave Harris has been out and checked the Westinghouse brakes on our open day carriages. He has promised to come out again and do some more vehicles that need overhauls.
Our inspecting engineer checked our railway on 23/3 and apart from a couple of problems, since fixed, gave us the 'OK'.
OPEN DAYS: The next ones will be held on May 1st.
June 5th - Queens Birthday weekend
July 3rd
Please fill out the attached work notice and return them.
WORKING BEES: The next working bees will be held on May 28-29
June 25-26
July 23-24
A good attendance on the Sunday after our AGM meant a lot of gear beside the main line was shifted to clear the site for the jigger shed. Keep It Up.
Very dry weather has meant that the fire ban is still in force. Some good rain in mid March re-filled all our tanks but from then until Easter was very hot with no rain. We got very low in water as the cows broke a pipe to the Shanty. The break was found virtually by accident by Bob.
KEYS: We have had several entries to the Shanty lately that do not appear to be forced. On the first occasion some keys were taken but the aluminium key tag left behind. This was given to the Police for fingerprinting. We are not too sure what the keys were all for and as a precaution changed our common padlock on most of our sheds. If you need a key and haven't already received one - contact me.
The second time some hasps and staples inside the Shanty were forced and stuff gone through. Nothing of real value appears to have been taken.
Both times the P.D. gang were working at the Junction and we are following this up with Justice Dept to see if someone was present both times.
It is up to all members to report any strange goings on - to the PD supervisor if the gang is present or if necessary call the police.
TREES: Some wattles that overhung the backshunt where the steam cranes are parked were pruned on the 1st April. This wood must NOT be used as loco lighting up wood for at least 6 months. Don't know if you have ever tried to light and keep a fire going with green wood that some thoughtless person has loaded into the cab. The job is impossible and the culprits personal history is repeated many times per minute.
To all who helped, many thanks - may your chainsaws be forever sharp. It may not be realised but this constant supply of wattle and scrap timber from carriage and wagon repairs has meant we have not purchased lighting up wood for probably 8 years.
PECKETT: This was passed in steam by the boiler inspector on 23rd March.
ENGINE DRIVERS: Since 1981, this club has held an exemption under the Boilers, Lifts and Cranes Act to allow members to become steam loco drivers of nominated locos on our railway. Normal practice requires 1040 hours work as a fireman within twelve months before being eligible to sit a full ticket. We have had about 6 new drivers under this dispensation, 2 of them are still current holders. This dispensation requires that the holder remains an active member of the club.
In November, Occupational Safety and Healths engineering safety branch issued a general notice cancelling all previous exemptions although our exemption stated we had to be notified of any cancellation. OSH are the successors of Ministry of Transports Engineering section while Marine and Industrial inspections are the successors of the inspectors section of MOT.
All steam engine drivers under our dispensation will have to apply to OSH through the club, be examined by the boiler inspector and then we notify Land Transport. Sounds like a stream lined procedure - you should have tried to get is sorted out:
The main thing is all previous exemptions are still valid and we can continue to get new loco drivers.
The main part of our exemption is that all holders must remain active members of the club.
OIL STORE: This had its first clean out for many years and all drums and containers are now labelled. If you can't find the oil you are looking for - put your glasses on. You can even get into the oil store now!
CONGRATULATIONS to Chris and Julie Mann on the safe arrival of a small addition to the family. Hope all your troubles are little ones! It is a Man for the Mann family.
CONDOLENCES to the Jenner family on the sudden loss of Isobel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
EASTER OPEN DAYS: Saturday was a trial extra day with train rides from mid-day that were diesel hauled. Much to everyones surprise, we had quite a good day. The Peckett was in steam running between the station and Downers Crossing. This gave passengers a close up look at how a steam loco works etc. The jigger was not well patronised.
Sunday was a normal open day with rides from 10.30, again diesel hauled and the Peckett running to Downers Crossing. The Jigger was much more popular taking passengers down the line to MacDougalls crossing. Ken seemed to be away an extra long time when some of his passengers were nice young ladies - better watch him Una. We had a good passenger count the 2 days were well worth while.
As well a lot of other jobs were done around the Junction. I noticed Teresa putting in some plants around the shop a couple of weeks ago. Hope they are not the same type of plants Jan watched a police helicopter lifting out of the gorse very close to our line at Glen Afton.
The ditty underneath was stolen from the local country music clubs newsletter who had in turn borrowed it from the Chev Car Clubs newsletter. Good to see we aren't the only club like this!
A SAD LOSS
The Club was saddened to learn of the death recently of our most valued member, SOMEONE ELSE. Someone's passing leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with the Club since it's beginning. He did far more that a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, funds to be raised, or a social function or meeting to attend, one name was always on everyone's lips ..."Someone Else will do it." It was common knowledge that Someone Else was the greatest contributor of his time to the Club; whenever there was a need for volunteers, everyone just assumed that Someone Else would be there Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing superhuman - but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else has gone. We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow but who is going to do the things Someone Else did.
BUSH TRAMWAY CLUB INCORPORATED
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 26th MARCH 1994
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:
1993 was the end of an era when we ran our last passenger train to Rotowaro; the township which no longer exists. It was a very convenient and interesting connection with the former New Zealand Railways and with the State Coal - and later Coalcorp lines.
Most of the traffic was handled by 'rail' from the "Alison" and "Taupiri" Mines with the 'Carbo' works nearby providing its share.
The 'Mahon's Mine' to the south, had the longest local track in the industry, and for some strange reason was known locally as "The Rock Island Line".
On a number of occasions we were permitted to steam our trains over those tracks for special events. Some of our locos and rolling stock were obtained from the mining people when the changes took place. To some extent we have become the Trustees of local history - at least the transport side at ground level.
Most of the tracks mentioned have now been pulled up and part of our line is about to be lifted to give open access to the coal deposits. This was expected in the long term, as we were told about it early in the piece, almost twenty years ago.
We will soon be lifting half-a-mile of track from the bottom-end of our line, before the mining operations turn the area upside down for the coal.
To offset this loss we have arranged for Coalcorp to assist in the development of a new terminus in the Hangapipi Road area, which includes the movement of the 'Rotowaro Station'.
Major rebuilding of the 'sandfill embankment' has also been completed by Coalcorp. The old filling has been completely removed and the new formation relocated onto better ground. Upgrading of half-a-mile of track is also proceeding in the same area, as access is obtained with vehicles and machinery.
It has become fairly obvious that our old methods of dealing with these matters with manpower alone cannot be maintained today. There just isn't the time to do it that way! Never-the-less, many parts of our project are only accomplished with the old fashioned "hands on" approach, in particular the restoration and maintenance sides.
The most important observation is to acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication displayed by our Members who are taking an active part, and they are to be congratulated on the end result of their efforts.
Many items are being tackled on a continuous basis which this list will show have been worthwhile;
Completion of the shop to final painting stage.
Restoration of "F 185" Locomotive in final stages.
The 'Mine's' DS loco almost completed to running stage.
Locomotive 'Shelter' can now be called the LOCO-SHED!
Carraige and wagon repairs with a number of improved methods.
normal operations and maintenance and administration etc.
To All our active Members and Supporters we can only say "Thankyou all for your support". It is certainly appreciated.
Appreciation is acknowledged to our 'outside' supporters, namely:
Coalcorp
Electricorp (E.C.N.Z.)
Glencoal
MacDougalls Mining
Baker Construction
Waikato District Council
Trustbank
Hillary Commission
R. J. Mann
(signed)
BUSH TRAMWAY CLUB INCORPORATED
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT 1993
1993 was another year of safe operation for the club both on open days and the club generally.
One of the main areas of concern is the speed limit of locos and jiggers. A reminder notice was issued to all and must be observed. A large part of our future safety audit will revolve around the observance of speed limits.
After reading and listening to what will be required of us under our safety audit. We are well on the way with our present practices. This is due to foresight of our past GM's - Dick and Eric - and the help of all members who run our trains in any capacity.
The filling out of records and keeping them is a necessity for any safety scheme. Everyone must do their part. This is an area we have largely not been good at, but thank all for the improvement this year.
The answer to non-compliance with our future safety audit is very simple - we put a gate across our access road, keep it locked and forget about our hobby as it is at present.
During this year, I have reinforced the practices of our previous GM's I have re-issued our basic operating rules issued by Dick. Amendment of these rules or the issue of new ones will continue as required. The shunting booklet put out by Eric was re-issued and a shunting and safety school held. This will also continue.
The open days were largely run under Chris' guiding hand. In this role he deputises for me and has my full authority. I hope to be able to continue this arrangement for a lot of 1994.
Last year, Eric in his report, made mention of the cost of a turnout to connect us back to NZR. We have had many hours of talks with Coalcorp and a lot of correspondence about the bottom end of our line. We have obtained the best deal we are able to in exchange for the loss of this section of our lines. The outcome of our talks has been reported in newsletters.
We have applied to Land Transport Safety Authority for Peter Jones to be our mechanical auditor. We have not received a reply yet. Our present inspector Rodney Bayley - has agreed to be our civil engineering auditor and we will be applying to have him approved during 1994.
The upgrading of our track has continued, with most effort being concentrated between our station and Downers Crossing or the Junction yard itself. 130 sleepers were replaced during 1993, largely by the PD gang. Also in the same sections 80 fish plate bolts were replaced or added. The track past the station at the Junction has been largely untouched since we laid it in the early days of the club.
New signs have been put up at the turnoff to the Junction. Portable signs are put up for open days. Carparking on Downers access road will continue for all this year.
Our passenger count will be down somewhat on 1992 but is reasonable given the continuing economic climate which doesn't really show much sign of improving for our average passengers - the family.
A tremendous amount of work has been achieved during 1993 by our dedicated band, often trying to make $1 stretch to $5.
I thank all members for their help in keeping the operation of our railway safe during 1993.
(signed) C. Jenner
General Manager.
BUSH TRAMWAY CLUB INCORPORATED
LOCOMOTIVE SUPERVISORS REPORT FOR 1993.
PECKETT: Open inspection passed on 22-1-93 and steam test passed on 19-2-93. For 1993, the loco was in steam 170 hours and ran 226 miles - well down on 1992. A new door seal was welded onto the smokebox to give a better seal. A problem with the regulator leaking past the gland into the cab has existed for the last couple of years. The entire regulator rod has been removed and sent away for reconditioning in the area of the gland. Only minor running repairs have been required during the year.
F185: The boiler has been re-fitted to the loco frames. Some work carried out during the overhaul has meant that the boiler will not sit as it should and a spacer has had to be welded to the bottom of the smokebox sides. The ashpan now sits slightly lower and fouled on the spring compensating rocker shaft, requiring a lot of machining to reduce the diameter of the shaft, and some slight alterations to the ashpan. The coalboxes and cab have been put back and the loco is starting to look like a loco. The side rod and parts were returned from Palmerston North and refitted. All flanges on the live steam pipes inside the smokebox were machined flat.
STEAM CRANE 256: Very little has been done on this, and not for the want of trying. A few more parts have been fitted to the boiler.
DIESEL LOCOS: This year a record has been kept of all hours and mileages worked. The log books also list repairs needed or carried out.
D2. During the year this loco was in use 74 hours and ran 162.5 miles.
Early in the year an engine mount broke, dropping the engine enough to smash the engine driven air compressor mounting. A belt driven air compressor was fitted. Some diesel and oil leaks were stopped. A speedo and oil pressure gauge were fitted. A lot of minor running repairs were carried out.
D1. During the year, this loco was in use 423 hours and ran 87 miles. A new starter button was fitted and some wiring was worked on during the year. The relief valve on the air receiver fell off and was re-welded. Minor running repairs were carried out when required.
D3. This loco has not been used at all. An attempt to tow start it was unsuccessful and grit was found in the motor. The motor needs a good clean out before this loco can be used.
D4. Price Tractor: This has been used infrequently during the year - running hours 5, and ran 3 miles. I suspect its use is slightly above this. The generator had new brushes fitted.
D5. Ds Loco: A lot of work has been done on this. All parts for the spring and brake gear have been cleaned and painted. A crack was found in the engine -P.rAms> on one side To remove this frame for welding was a time consuming job.