ROTOWARO STATION: Once again, a tremendous amount of work has been done on it. Colin Webber & son have spent another couple of weeks doing woodwork inside and out, and this side is now largely finished. The ex- 'ladies toilet' area is being made into an area for our PD Gang's smoko room, also a First Aid Room - and could probably be used as overnight accommodation as well.
We also have a room for a kitchen area, complete with servicing counter and sink bench. The plumbing still has to be done (probably will be complete by the time you read this). This room will contain the fridge, deep freeze and hot water zip.
The 'old waiting room' will still be largely that. The 'office' will be the ticket office, souvenir and sales rooms. The tickets are sold through a counter into the waiting room. Betty and Una looked at me when I asked them for $1 each way on a horse!!
The ex-storage room is the stationmaster's office and will eventually be a small museum - like Ken's old office.
The platform is now in two levels. One level in front of the station building is a lot higher than the other level beside the carriages. The split level is tidily done with a crib-wall of grooved timber, the posts for which also form the hand railing. The hand railing is all painted. The open area under the station is closed off with horizontal railings, painted the same colour as the hand railings.
Most windows are now fitted. The ones at the rear of the station were removed from George Dines old house at the Junction after it was abandoned.
The area in front of the station was fitted with clay etc., being dug out of the shop building site, topped off with tar sealing chip and large concrete slabs.
The number of members who have helped is a credit to our working members. I think at some stage, most have assisted to some degree. Some days, about fifteen people were at work, while some days only two or three.
Bob Wiseman - ably assisted by Betty as chief wire-puller - has done the wiring so that we now have lights and power points. Bob even restored the original meter-board to suit!!
Ken, his son-in-law and Alan have rigged up the loud-speaker system.
Andrew organised the large water-tank behind the station. It now collects water off half the roof. We have applied to WEL Energy Trust for an electric pump and costs for associated kitchen plumbing work - hopefully they will agree with our thoughts, that this is the most opportune time to install this equipment. The PD Gang are also involved and spend every second Wednesday working on the station. If you haven't been to the Junction lately, you're in for a great surprise.
SHOP AREA: This is to be on the other side of the toilet block. The hill is being dug out by Alan and Colin with our yellow digger and the spoil carted away using Alan's open-cab truck. All spoil is being dumped close by, down George Dines old driveway. By the time you receive this, the earthwork's could be complete.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: This was held on 14th March as advertised, and although pretty well attended, only the usual faces were present. Bob Mann was nominated as our Patron, and he accepted. He stepped down as Chairman, after being in that position since the Club came into being!! 33 years ago. Colin Ewing was elected Chairman, with Alan Manning as Vice-Chairman. Two new faces were added to the Committee - Paula Bettison and Bruce McLuckie. The big disappointment was that no one was prepared to be Treasurer. We badly need some-one who is reasonably good with figures to take on this job, URGENTLY! Teresa requested that Secretary/Treasurer be split as combined, these jobs are now full-time, and she is willing to stay on as Secretary only.
The Meeting was somewhat longer than normal as a lot of discussion was held on a kitchen area and design for the station and the siting of the shop and its uses. A very healthy open forum.
LOCOMOTIVES: The three steam locomotives passed their checks in steam with the boiler inspector on 19/3/98.
PECKETT - The first open day was also the first day we have been able to see what the loco performs like since the balloon-stack was fitted. The balloon stack has vastly improved the performance. The stack is about .3mt taller than the old funnel. With one carriage and 145lbs steam pressure we can now leave the bottom of the line and only lose 5-10lbs when we reach The Junction. This also means putting on a fire only as you leave the bottom. Previously we would have lost 30-50lbs pressure and put on about four fires. The beat of the loco is now much softer.
SAFETY SCHEME: We have considered the recommendations of the special auditor. We accept some of them are altering our safety scheme where needed. Some we will not accept and have told Land Transport why.
CHARTER TRIPS: We had a charter trip in early March for the Veteran and Vintage Car Club's - Commercial Section. This section is lorries and trucks of all sorts. Lorries if you're English - I was told!!
CB LOCO - Richard had the CB in steam on this day for final checks before the Boiler Inspector's visit.
Because of the dry weather, diesels 401 and 402 were used, driven by Colin and Alan.
A very healthy sum was banked and could have been larger if we hadn't run out of drinks!!!
The 'truck-mob' were camping at Pukemiro School for their 21st annual camp out. They seemed to enjoy themselves and I joined them on the Saturday night for tea and drinks. Its surprising who you meet - one lady used to live up the road when we were young and one bloke I hadn't seen since the early 70's at MOTAT. Some pockets were checked before they departed -(you can't be too sure sometimes!).
OPEN DAYS: The first for 1998 was extremely slow - in fact we only had an Ex NZR fireman for the first trip, so we took him in the Peckett's cab. There was no-one for the last trip, so the locos were put away early. The slow day meant that the ladies were able to get sorted out in their new home easier - but the folding stuff does come in handy!!!
New ticket charges - as discussed at the A.G.M, it is very hard to fix prices at a reasonable rate, that will still encourage families to enjoy a reasonably 'cheap' day and still cover our increasing costs - such as our recent higher charge LTSA Licence Fee (and there is NO GETTING AWAY FROM THIS). The trial pricing has been difficult and at our April Committee Meeting we have decided to work to Mary's recommendation of $8.00 adult 'day fare' and $4.00 school-age 'day-fare' with preschoolers still free, and no cheaper concession rates. (The increased minimum charter rates are as set down at the Feb Committee Meeting). This new ticket rate comes into operation on Queen's Birthday Weekend.
The weather up to a week before the April open day had been a continuation of the dry summer and arrangements had been made for diesel hauled trains. During the last few days, long periods of rain meant the steam locos could be used.
WORKING BEES: Have you been to The Junction lately to lend a hand?????
The next few working bees are:
23 - 24 May
27 - 28 June
25 - 26 July
KEEP ALL THESE DATES FREE!!
As you will have read in the last few newsletters, heaps have been done but heaps and heaps more needs doing. Don't wait for an 'invitation to join' - just turn up, please.
CARRIAGES: Colin and his son did some repairs around the centre doors of No 3 car.
CAR-VAN: no action yet on the woodwork side. A section of the air brake pipe work is being removed for replacement. Its a bit hard to pass a leak test when you can poke your finger into the pipe through a rust hole!!!
We have ordered the timber for repairs to the Mines Car headstocks and internal under framing. The timber is red beech and is coming from Napier. This takes a long time to dry and is to be banded at the ends of all pieces to try and avoid cracking as much as possible.
ROTOWARO: A LARGE part of the old railway yard is no more and has been dug out to form part of the open cast mine. The Allison screens are also abandoned and all coal screening for coal (larger than slack) is now done at Coal Corp's old central workshop building at Weaver's Crossing - without rail access.
A recent auction at Rotowaro got rid of a large amount of 'junk' and some useful gear. Even the old buildings were sold. There was no railway related gear in the auction - it had 'vanished' beforehand.
GUARDS: The club had a new guard turn up at assist last open day. We couldn't use her as she hadn't completed the Club's Training Sheet. "She" was Gemma - Colin and Phyl Webber's pug dog dressed up in a waist coat and guards hat, complete with stop watch and flag. We think she may have been trying to take over from our 'normal guard' - Bob.
P D GANG: They are back after their summer break and are currently doing every 2nd Wednesday on the station and associated works also every 2nd Saturday on other jobs. Apart from three days scrapping, painting the station and surfacing the platform, they have spent another two days tidying up drains around the Junction and putting in more sleepers. The latest square sleepers they have put in are 6 X 6 red gum - a type recommended for sleepers. If suitable on our railway, we will be using more as we can get them for half the price of tanalised pine sleepers.
Richard 'borrowed' a PD Worker recently and replaced the water-tank beside the hall with the new black plastic tank. This tank also collects water off half the shanty now, and will shortly collect the rest of the shanty water and the old hall water. A new pump has been plumbed in and is working. The PD Gang also gave Richard a hand to patch over the holes in the old hall roof. The iron used was off the station and about twice as thick as modern roofing iron.
SHANTY CAT: Shanty cat and her kitten have been away for 2 1/2 weeks for a visit to their 'doctor' and to get the kitten's bad eye sorted out. Alan arranged for them to be spayed with the Cat's Protection League. If you could have seen and heard Jan trying to catch the kitten on top of a high clay bank and then sliding down through the gorse, blackberries and clay, your ears would have been blasted apart. Suffice to say, she didn't catch the kitten that time! They are both now back at The Junction and looking good. Many thanks to those who brought them some food. The kitten's name - at present - is KITTY!
DEDICATION TO DUTY: Congratulations to Bob & Betty Wiseman for their 45th Wedding Anniversary.
AND WHERE DID THEY SPEND THIS 'MOMENT' - at The Bush Tramway Club -wiring the Station.
OPEN DAYS: WHY NOT COME ALONG - AND HELP on the following days ???
MAY 31st - (QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY SUNDAY)
JUNE 7th (normal 'first Sunday of Month' operating date)
JULY 5th
AUGUST 2nd
The more the merrier!! We try our best to fit members in to what they would like to do BUT ALL must work within our safety scheme as far as training etc. goes. REMEMBER the new amendments to our safety scheme are in operation NOW!!! ALL TRAIN MOVEMENTS are to be recorded. Check that your CERTIFICATION TO OPERATE is current - check with General Manager if in doubt.
CHARTER TRIP: On Saturday 23rd May - Please don't forget this day and we need as many hands as possible. It will probably be busier than an open day for the period that they are at The Junction. At this stage, they will arrive at approx 11.45 and leave by 2.45 but will know by May Open Day. - can you help ????????)
SOCIAL AFTER THIS CHARTER: It has been decided to go ahead with a social evening. The club will put on a roast meal (sufficient power supply this time) and end with films/or chit-chat session! We need numbers as to whether one or two beasts are needed!!!! Please fill in enclosed form. Bring supper plate only.
GET WELL: I hear Nell Ewing is well on the way to recovering. Ruth is taking a bit longer. Ron Jenner has been in for another operation - this time to correct a partly blocked artery in a leg. He didn't want the plastic tubing I offered him. To others awaiting ops - our thoughts are with you too. We wish you all a speedy and full recovery.
PHOTO COMPETITION: Don't forget your recent photos for this. Already one member has put some in and another member was spotted with camera last open day. The winning photos will be used to update our club post cards. There will be a choice of prizes of approximate equal value. These being
i/ Free year's membership to BTC
ii/ Film package
iii/ Enlargement of chosen photo in competition
or
iv/ Train passes on Pukemiro Line to value of $30.00
CONGRATULATIONS: are due to Richard Stratford for passing his loco-drivers exam to drive the CB Loco and Bruce McLuckie for passing his loco-driver's exam to drive F185.
We could do with some members that want to train as firemen - its not too much of a difficult job.
Mention must be made of the members who continually do the largely unseen jobs - lawns, generally tidying up etc. Special mention must be made of the club 'scrubbers'. Una, Jan and Mary always seem to find something that needs cleaning - be it toilets, carriages, windows or the buildings. Certainly a lot of extras were on hand to scrape and wash the internals of the station before the first Open Day - sincere thanks to the team - who gave who the most cheek???
T R 217: Ken, assisted at times by his son-in-law and friend Mike from Mangakino, has fitted a manual clutch to this loco. It is now available for use on the railway again.
HANDCRANE: At long last, restoration is under way again. Any other offers of help on this essential piece of equipment?