Now that 1996 has been rung in, we have lots to look forward to. First is the Subs - a renewal form is enclosed with this newsletter. Second is the AGM a notice of the meeting is also included.
Projects for 1996 are to get the workshop built, powered up, all the gear moved in and be able to use it. Think about a woodwork shop, seriously start re-sleepering towards Glen Afton, get track across the repaired embankment sorted out, lined and ballasted. Plus of course keep all our operating equipment in good order and present track up to scratch. Also to continue to operate after March, we must have our safety system approved and a new licence issued.
If you think this sounds like a lot - it is, but unless we get these items completed the club will not progress. We need you - the members - to be able to assist in doing jobs you often don't expect to work on. In addition there is the overhaul or restoration projects that are often being worked on individually.
It is hoped that everyone will renew their subs, turn up at the AGM to express your views and elect a committee you think will carry on. Have you ever thought of standing for committee? or would you just prefer to leave it all to someone else.
LABOUR WEEKEND: This went off very well and a reasonable count of passengers resulted in a few more dollars in the bank. It was good to see so many past members turn up and even better to hear their comments on the club's progress. A very enjoyable afternoon tea was put on by the club- sorry should be paid for by the club - with the 'eats' being prepared by the girls in the shop. Saturday night saw 34 present and past members turn up at the local Blue Room for tea and a general get-together and natter. A very enjoyable time was had by all with several comments that we should hold this sort of a 'do' more often.
I have heard some comments that more past members should have been invited. The past members invited were those who had shown some interest in the club since letting their membership lapse. Invitations were sent to the last address on our records.
November and December Open Days were fairly well patronised and two carriages seems to be the normal train makeup. The 'V' and Peckett double headed for November but a few small fires were started so for December the two Meremere diesels ran the train while the 'V' and Peckett ran up to Downers Crossing between trips. Jigger rides were also part of these two Open Days - running down the line to McDougalls crossing and back. A very good BBQ was held after the December open day for all members who help on these days.
Last newsletter, I asked for a trainee fireman and a trainee diesel loco driver. I have two members asking to learn firing but no one wanting to drive Meremere diesels.
WORKSHOP: Not too much progress yet. The poles have been purchased and delivered to the Junction. We received 9 quotes for the timber and 2 for the roofing iron. It is amazing the difference between the timber quotes.
JOHN STITCHBURY: It is with regret, I have to advise members of the rather sudden passing of John. He was not a member of our club but well known to all railfans in NZ and for his connections with Glenbrook Railway. His interest goes back to the early days of the Railway Enthusiasts Society and later to the founding of Glenbrook Railway. Because of his early associations with the RES, he was known as "Father".
For a long time he was an NZR fireman then engine driver and based at Papakura in later years. His house was, for many years, beside the Main Trunk near Manurewa and I can remember visiting him and his wife Judith and hearing steam locos working hard up the bank. After he left NZR he worked in a few boilerhouses in the area. He was devoted to the railfan and preservation movement.
To his family, members of the RES and Glenbrook, we extend our sympathy.
ANDREW THOMPSON: Mention needs to be made of Andrew and his latest happenings. Regular visitors to the Junction will have noticed a real fire engine parked beside the shop. No it isn't the Huntly fire brigade being at the Junction in case of fires. Andrew has purchased this for himself and it has proved very handy at the Junction. He has used it several times to put out fires easily accessible from the road.
He has recently gone flatting and when asked how this flatting business was going he said OK. When asked if he took his turn at the dishes - he said no but he has fixed the dishwasher.
P.D. GANG: They have finished and won't be back until probably February. Since last newsletter, they have removed all the clay from on top of the ballast between the top of 'fern cutting' and the sandfill. This was put over the track by Coalcorp to enable their trucks to drive up the line during the sandfill's repairs. A certain amount of re-sleepering is required in this area; Bob has started on this work.
They have spent two days replacing sleepers near the coal cutting.
CB: Richard continues to work most weekends on this. Both bogie bolsters have been made and are sitting in place. He is adapating the old drive shafts to take the universals from heavy duty truck drive shafts. The journals he was machining have been completed. He is presently getting the boiler ready for a hydraulic test. He is also having to get a new bearing cover made. Mike has just produced four new axle bearings he arranged to have cast. The boiler was put back on the frames in mid December. Mike continues to battle to get the DS back onto its wheels. He is not happy with the oil box he welded and is making a new one out of steel plate.
F 185: This has been in steam for testing since Labour weekend, on all open days. Faults found are being repaired, the main ones being a bad knock from the driver's side slide valve, a broken piston ring in the Westinghouse air compressors shuttle valve. The slide valve has had some packing added to keep the valve closer to the valve face but needs a bit more. Terry turned up the new piston ring for the Westinghouse air compressor shuttle valve. This allowed the compressor to go but showed up another fault which needs looking at. The brakes apply but start to release very soon afterwards. Next step is to take the triple valve off and look at it.
There are still jobs to do on the loco but at least it goes without any major problems.
Jan & Theresa spent a full day washing and cleaning the inside of the shop just before December Open Day.
WORKING BEES: These are still held on the 4th weekend of each month and as you can see from this newsletter there is heaps to do.
The Next ones are January 27 & 28th
February 24 & 25th
March 23rd & 24th
1996 PROJECTS: As well as the projects listed at the beginning of this newsletter, the Committee has agreed to the construction of an access road from the rear of the station to opposite the shanty. The present track will be lowered, upgraded then metalled. All clay removed will be put into the area between this new road and the present oil store.
A new member has started work on steam crane 256.
Do members think we should be starting or concentrating the efforts more on any project? Let's know, as without your ideas, we can only do what we think best. Remember however that we don't have unlimited funds.
The club has recently purchased a new saw bench for our woodworking department. I haven't seen it in action yet but am told it should do everything we need of a multi-purpose saw bench.
SAFETY SCHEME: During November, Bob & Chris Mann and the two Colins attended a session in Auckland held by our National Federation~ to hopefully shed some light on the dark spots in Land Transports requirements for a safety scheme. These requirements were gone through pretty well line by line and a couple of dark spots cleared up for us. As a result of this session and more burning of the night oil at work - our safety scheme is ready for final checking by our auditors.
OLD THAMES BRANCH : As mentioned a couple of newsletters ago, this branchline is being pulled up between Waitoa and Thames. A diesel loco and a couple of wagons is used to transport tracksets, telephone poles, level crossing signs etc. from the end of the line to Te Aroha. From here all is loaded on to road logging trucks for transport to Morrinsville. The old IP Way reclaim area is alive again as tracksets are dismantled with amazing speed, all sleepers and rails bundled up and all fittings put in drums.
The club has purchased a quantity of good screw spikes and spring plates from Morrinsville for use on our railway as we relay square sleepers. We hope to purchase some more before dismantling is completed.
NEW MEMBERS: Welcome to our new members. Sid is already getting indoctrinated into the workings of locomotives as a trainee fireman. Bit different to a dairy factory power house though! and he hasn't had to fire the Peckett on a train yet. He is also working on steam crane 256.
STAY STEEL: Some years ago, we were promised some boiler stay steel as payment for loaning a side rod to F163 when their one broke. In late October, we arranged to visit Palmerston North and Fielding to collect said steel. Jan and myself travelled down in my ute on the Friday. I had a look at F163 undergoing an overhaul and then loaded the ute with the stay steel. We stayed the night in Fielding and visited the Traction Engine Club at Maewa on Sunday. I had to admit, my education was lacking as I had never been there before. A very interesting place and well worth a visit.
The heavily loaded ute meant a long trip home on the Monday but we now have the stay steel to repair our Heisler boiler when time permits.
One interesting feature of the visit to Maewa was Jan steering a traction engine down the road to the sawmill and back. The wheel marks in the gravel made fascinating designs! They certainly undertake big repairs to their boilers. I was shown a new firebox in a traction engine, made and fitted last Christmas holidays. While we were at Maewa another privately owned engine was having the boiler barrel cut loose from the firebox. This involved cutting all rivet heads off - removing the rivets and then jacking and hammering the barrel until it fell out.
They had two engines in steam while a portable engine was also in steam driving the firewood saw.
All in all a very interesting day. It was good to see some very young members actively involved.
MEREMERE DIESELS: Bob has put a second coat on 402. This loco looks very good at the moment. The starter on 401 played up and was got in order but refused to work later during December open day. The bendix drive on this starter had the teeth dressed up by Terry. The starter still needs looking at and must be in good order before April.
For 1995 - The Peckett was in steam 216 hours and ran 260 Miles
F 185 was in steam 70 1/2 hours and ran 49 miles
Does anyone have two old vacuum cleaners they don't want that can blow rather than suck. We would like them to use as blowers when lighting up our steam locos to keep the smoke out of the cab before steam is raised for the steam blower.
We have recently taken delivery of all sorts of useful bits and pieces from Peter Jones - thanks Pete and thanks Trev for delivering them.