SUBSCRIPTIONS: If this letter has the dreaded red dot on it - it will be the LAST newsletter that you receive unless you pay up promptly. Our Financial year finished on the 31st December.
PUKEMIRO PICKINGS:
Trackwork: Work on the replacement of the point on the main line at the station platform slowed up for a long time - too long really. All old ballast was eventually scooped out and the new point put in place to line up with existing tracks. This meant that all rails either side of the point had to be cut to length. As open days loomed nearer the amount of work needed to get this job finished increased until it virtually became a full time job. Most of our active members have worked on this job at some stage.
The job has been completed with the help of the P.D. gang wheeling two large truck loads of new ballast into place and packing under the sleepers. The job also required 49 new sleepers and 72 fish plate bolts. The job certainly looks good - perhaps too good for a bush tramway.
TR 217: A long dry summer made the use of the Peckett for the first open days look doubtful, so work was also speeded up on this job. Mike got the motor going at long last only to find a small leak in the top radiator tank was much worse. The radiator was hauled out and taken away for repairs. Once repaired, the radiator was fitted - the motor started and another disaster. Mikes work had put extra loading onto a rubber drive from the front of the motor. This drives the air compressor and cooling fan. The drive said 'I've had enough' and promptly wore out. Mike then had to dismantle a lot of his work again to get this drive out. Spare drives for old Commer diesels are a bit like the proverbial rocking horse manure. Eventually a firm was found that could repair the drive and a day or so later a spare for a slightly bigger sized motor located.
Peckett: This was checked in steam by the boiler inspector on 23/3 and passed. The inspector also took a very nervous Andrew for an engine-drivers exam under our dispensation. He passed so is now qualified to drive the Peckett without someone peering over his shoulder. Don't know how he will get on if he has to light up at 6a.m. for an open day though. We also haven't tasted the flavour of his shout yet!
C.B: The boiler inspector also gave the C.B. boiler a good going over
internally and externally. He was very pleased with its condition.
Richard has replaced all corroded studs and started fitting the blanks
for an official hydraulic test. A hydraulic was put on it many years
ago to check the boiler after all tubes were replaced but not witnessed
by the boiler inspector.
All official boiler records in Hamilton have gone missing so there is nothing to compare with previous inspections,
Richard has squared the sections of steel for the rear water tank/ bunker and started welding the bits together.
No.3 Car: Teresa and at times Jan - have continued with the painting of this
Carriage. It is the first time the interior has been painted for many years.
F 185:
A spare couple of hours was grabbed to do some more work on this loco. The regulator valve and valve seat were fitted inside the dome and the dome cover bolted down. The fitting for the Westinghouse air compressor mentioned last newsletter has been made but still needs threading on one end.
A.G.M.: This was held during March and well attended. Good to see some new faces present. As no-one had volunteered for committee - the present committee was re-elected - the general business section of the meeting produced a lively debate about privately owned gear that is deteriorating but no money or labour forthcoming to do anything about it.
After the meeting a welcome cuppa and afternoon tea was held, followed slightly later by a B.B.Q. The evening was rounded off, by a -pleasant natter that went on until 9.30p.m.
Paula Bettison is presently working on the drawings for our new workshop.
We have received an advert for a steam trip in Aussie from Townsville in Queensland to Mt. Isa. The trip will be from 16th August to 19th and return on 21st to 23rd. If anyone is interested - or would like me to carry their bags - brochures are in the shanty.
Sleepers: In the last 6 weeks, we have purchased a large quantity of sleepers. Most are tanalised pine - 6 x 6 either standard length or various lengths for points. We have also purchased some 8 x 6 heart Macrocarpa for a trial. These will only be put into drier areas of our line.
We will soon be purchasing some more 1/2 rounds.
The new carriage platform safety rails have been welded by Ian and are ready for use. He has also been repairing the rusted sections of the sides of the water tanks on our fire fighting wagon.
Bob has - in his spare time - been fitting the glass into the guards van doors.
Santa called early at the club and delivered 6 x drums of steam cylinder oil and a drum of swarfega hand cleaner. Santa even claimed drum of steam cylinder oil for his troubles! Next thing we know Santa will be charging a delivery fee, but the big question is just what will the reindeer be running on next December?
Colin Ewing and Bob spent most of 1 day weedspraying between the Junction and Rotowaro.
Locks:
We have had several standard padlocks broken recently. If you need a key - ask the committee for one. These locks cost $30 each.
April Open Day: Although pretty quiet passenger wise - the day ran well.The only major problem was the motor for the pump on the fire wagon. It packed up the day before. Mike and Ian spent most of the day on it and eventually got it running again. Special mention must be made of Bob Wiseman. I have heard of people wearing more than 1 hat and changing hats to suit which job they are doing but never changing coats
Bob was wearing a grey dust coat while guard and then changing into a white dust coat so he could work on the lights in the loco shelter. Even with so many clothing changes he managed to get the lights at one end working. The switchboard in the shelter will be locked with a standard padlock and the supply switched off. It would be too easy for someone visiting to switch the lights on and then not be noticed for a couple of days.
Old Crocks Club: I'm not too sure what's going on but I've never seen so many members on an open day with injuries - all done away from the Junction.
Mary has a broken wrist that doesn't want to set properly. Colin Ewing had some bandages on one arm. Jan had a large plaster on one shin. The worst must be Wingnut. He had a bad shoulder and I'm not too sure if the harness he was wearing was a trainer bra or a strait jacket. I'm also told it happened while Teresa and him were away on their silver wedding celebrations! Terry Bodle also had some sore chest muscles and Maxine had put her back out doing something with Bol
With the last newsletter, a notice went out about the Clubs 30th anniversary at Labour Weekend. So far we have had only 1 reply. It is important that we get some idea of what you - the members - want.
Working Bees: The next ones will be held on:- 29th and 30th April 27th and 28th May 24th and 25th June,
As you can see in this newsletter, heaps of work has been done recently but there is plenty more to do. Please turn up and help.
OPEN DAYS: The next will be held on June 4th and July 2nd. PLEASE fill out the work notices and RETURN them. We have had a good turn out of members to help run the open days - please keep it up. We were a bit short over the Easter days but some ring-ins were very welcome.