STATION PLATFORM:
This job is now finished - at long last and after many hold- ups. The contractor's worker (who was compacting the metal before sealing) finished one day and left the small vibrating compactor behind in our Rec Room - intending to return and complete the job. However!!! He left the company, and when the company returned, they were VERY surprised when we produced the compactor (as they did not know where it was) and had ended up hiring one. Looks like we may have slipped up there and could now be the owners of a compactor!!!
The platform is now sealed for its whole length and around all buildings in that area.
The "Pukemiro Junction" sign was re-erected by Wingnut. Andrew has been out doing further work to the wooden fence above the `Rec Room' and the trellis work still needs attending to, although the posts were put in before the sealing job. The funding for this entire project was from the generous WEL Energy Trust grant made last June.
A.G.M.:
This was held on 18th March. Of note, The Club bestowed on Colin Jenner its second only Honorary Life Membership. A framed permanent memento was presented to Colin as well as an overdue one to Bob Mann - our first Honorary Life Member.
Your Committee is basically the same with Colin Ewing re- elected as Chairman. At present, we do not have a nominated Treasurer, although Teresa stood down, she is staying on and is our Secretary - Claire Molloy (our first aid helper) is doing some of the paperwork, and Mary is always there to give a hand as needed.
Andrew and Wingnut stood down from the Committee and Colin Swabey was elected on. Colin - (number FOUR Colin in The Club) - has taken over the `membership' side and has a few ideas. Thankyou Claire, Colin and Mary for helping The Club out. The Treasurer's job is an important one in any Club, so we owe our thanks to Teresa for battling on - even after a couple of years of attempting to give it up!
The Business side of The Meeting produced the now annual discussion on `private ownership' of gear at The Junction.
The Annual Meeting was attended by 20 members and it was very pleasing to see some new faces. The Committee has the power to co-opt another couple of members on - but as the rules state, you must have been a member for 12 months to serve!
MINES CAR:
The heavy woodwork on one end has largely been completed by Ian Jenner, with about one more day's work to go. The side chains are in place - loosely at present and just one long bolt is needed to be put in and the buffer can go back in as well. The PD crew have overhauled about 1/3rd of the framework on one side. Some of the frame-work was extremely old and in a rather sad condition. This has been replaced as necessary. We even had to make up some new brackets that held the studs to the bottom plate as there was very little left of them. We are presently getting some new windows made. Most of this work on the frame and T&G has been done by one of our PD workparties that had a couple of carpenters in it. Unfortunately (for us) both have now completed their PD time and the workparty is busy elsewhere. Did I hear a YELL of "I CAN HELP"? ????? !!!!!!!
We recently had a `shunt-around' and this carriage is now completely inside the shed - even has the doors shut!, so there's no more excuse for saying "....it's too wet to work on this job".
LOCO SHELTER EXTENSION:
This is another job that has now been completed. The barge boards and spouting were put up by Colin Webber with the PD crew. And yes, the doors were made and are now usually kept closed.
Richard decided that this extension would look better painted, so after a major (and I mean MAJOR) cleanout of our paint store, found some red oxide paint and spray painted the side and doors. Even to get the spray paint unit going was a job - as SOMEONE HAD SPRAYED WHITE PAINT WITH IT - AND had not cleaned it out properly). As a result some bits had to be thrown away.!!
Special thanks again to Colin (#3 ) Webber and Richard for tidying up this shelter project. The paint job makes the shed appear immense. (We still have plenty of track to continue covering with buildings!!)
WORKSHOP:
Mike is extending the doors by about 1/3rd metre, a job made necessary to give us enough clearance for our locos. Part of the mexxanine floor nogs and floor extension was put in one wet day by a PD crew.
HANDCRANE:
Mike used this for some of his work on the workshop doors, but found the crane would slew slightly when in use. He is now working on the threaded rod purchased a long time ago - so that the counter weight box can be wound in AND out. Andrew completed putting the slewing gear segments in place.
JAN & HER CATS AT THE JUNCTION:
She still goes down, usually twice a day to feed them. Thanks to the few that bring a little something to help with their grub. With the colder weather coming, and a good summer, there are plenty of mice around.
There was an article of "Gemma" on guard in the recent SPCA journal, and a story referring to The Junction's cat family also.
STEAM LOCOS:
Early in March we paid for a certified welder to come and do a small job on each of our working locomotives. All jobs were good and the locos in steam checked by The Boiler Inspector on 28th March. We had a problem with The Peckett with the regulator jamming partly open, freeing and then not seating properly - rather exciting at the time! Wingnut helped pull it apart and an odd shaped piece of thin steel was found partly under the regulator valve and partly down a steam port in the valve seat. We have no idea where this came from. The loc has been checked out OK since.
Thanks to the few that helped over the last week or so with the steam testing of our locos. It was very much a `touch-and-go' if they would be checked by The Boiler Inspector before our first open day - as their old certificates would have run out the day before!!!
YB BALLAST WAGON:
While the welder was at The Junction, he welded the replacement spring holder- bracket to the underframe. The springs are now in place, the wagon on its wheels and the brake gear being refitted. Andrew helped with the replacement of the wheels.
GENERAL MANAGER'S GRUMBLES:
The number of `work-notices' returned for our open days is very small, and I am finding it a hard job marking out a roster for open days.
In future, I will only be putting the names of those who return their slips on the roster. I you don't bother to reply and then turn up - you will probably not have a job!
The attention of our operating members is again drawn to the following requirements of our safety scheme:-
ALL FAULTS and subsequent repairs MUST BE ENTERED in the loco or car wagon repair books, same for track-work.
ALL TRAINS that go outside Pukemiro Station Limits MUST HAVE THE TRAIN TIMES entered in the train running books - passenger trains in the Station Master's Office and the rest in the book in The Shanty.
ALL LOCO MILEAGES AND HOURS OF USE must be entered in the appropriate book.
Its not my job to do your job, but its MY JOB to make sure YOU HAVE DONE your job properly.
Not all members are failing in these areas, but some just don't seem to bother. Its no good thinking "you'll do the paperwork next time at The Junction" - that may be weeks away, and by then you will have forgotten.
I will be revisiting this at our Training Day - just in case you don't read this!!!
FIRE-WOOD:
Could a request please go out to anyone who is spare to cut up more pallets, timber etc ready for starter wood? I am always pleased to see the bins FULL to the top - with wood - not full to the top with air!! I think Richard would be happy with some logs as well for the CB.
NEW MEMBERS:
WELCOME ABOARD to our many new members - as you can see from the above, we have great plans for you all to start TRAIN - ing, so please fill in the attached notice and return. (It was with pleasure that nine new members have been accepted last month). Even more pleasing to be able to also report that we have some NEW VERY KEEN MEMBERS. One of them - Carl - I knew about 30 years ago! At MOTAT. He was noted making the open-day workers lunch sandwiches and then burning the snags on the BBQ. For a change from the scone department, he has made pikelets!! (Next thing, members will be given a preference!!).
Another, Mathew - is keen to become a fireman, and it was good to see he at The Junction bright & early at the April's open day. Let's hope this pleasing trend continues, we badly need new members (particulary ones that will get their hands dirty).
The late Professor RALPH WINTERBOURN:
Ralph was one of our long-term Club Members, becoming a supporter in the very early years of our Club. We knew early this year that he was not in good health as we received a note from one of his sons at membership renewal time. Condolences are sent to his family: The article was printed in the New Zealand Herald on 17/3/01.
D S LOCO:
Andrew and Sean spent a couple of days working on the replacement radiator. It was pulled apart, header tanks cleaned and painted, and is largely re-assembled again. Any progress is good going.
CHARTER TRIPS:
The first for this year was held on 12 April and a Lottery Commission film crew spent some time that day at The Junction as well. SPECIAL THANKS to all who went out of their way to help - and hopefully the promotion will be good publicity for The Club as well.
We had another planned for April (YES, MORE FILMING!! .. from a photographers convention), one in May, one in June and an enquiry for one in July. We have also had an enquiry for THREE in year 2002!! .. for an English Rail Touring co.
Some members have changed their jobs or are not so available during the week, and we are having some difficulty organising our weekday charters - and most are mid-week ones. The funds from these are an important part of our annual income - so all offers of help would be appreciated.
TRACKWORK:
Progress on this has slowed down somewhat - as our PD workers are largely on other work currently, or The Club cannot provide a member experienced in this area when some of the PD workparties are at The Junction.
However, it is pleasing to be able to say that the rails above the sandfill are joined again - thanks Wingnut and Chris (and also their `trainees' for the day - David Busing and mate). More new club members showing us what they are made of.
The heaviest loco that has been to the end of our resleepered line is our TR. This area of the formation still needs more lifting, jacking and some re-alignment in small areas - (DID I hear yells of help!!!???)
We have recently taken delivery of 400 X 1/2 round sleepers for this area, but haven't had a PD workparty to unload and stack them. Our present sleeper stack in this area needs a weed spray as the sleeper-stacks are starting to get overgrown. (We have to have stocks on-hand at least six months in advance, to prevent spikes being eaten by the tanalising treatment).
We have also just purchased a knapsack sprayer so if anyone is willing - we HAVE THE GEAR!
Richard and Bob spent a day weedspraying the line from the formation to Glen Afton. The top-end of Puke yard has had a good haircut - some of the scrub etc. hasn't been cut for many years. This work was also done by one of our PD crews with a new supervisor.
PUKEMIRO YARD:
This same PD crew vertually spent 2 1/2 months at The Junction, largely cleaning up drains or scrub-cutting. They have cut all scrub on the hill above the station, so we need to keep this tidy and continue developing it for the planned picnic area etc.
Jan is presently The Club - `Gofa' when a PD crew is at The Junction with most of the PD supervisors. This is often at short notice or a `planned' visit may be cancelled at short-notice. Sometimes I only know when I start work, what is happening. Teresa is having a rest from this side of our railway!
The re-sleepering of the point at the top-end of the yard has been completed, and we are about to do sleeper-replacement before the overhead gantry crane is erected. So don't be surprised if there is a flurry of further activity outside the new shed extension.
OPEN DAYS:
Our first for 2001 was held on 1st April and was patronised by a fairly small crowd - about average for April. Dry weather meant that only one loco was in-steam and confined to The Junction yard.
Don't forget - these are our income earning days :- Social or family days are `special' and these are specifically for OUR members and families. Any suggestions - let us know.
Easter Sunday: I think the only thing that can be said about this was that on most trips our loco drivers, fireman and guard made-up the majority of the people on the train.!!
One steam loco was put away about mid-day and the trips only ran at all if there were any passengers.
The Committee has decided NOT to run on this day in future - The AGM had left this year's one as a "trial". But thanks to ALL who turned up to help! The weather was extremely fine and warm.
OPERATING DAYS:
The next ones are June 3rd (Queen's Birthday Sunday), July 1st and August 5th.
Can you help with the proposed charter on Saturday July 7th???? Please return attached notice:
WORKING BEES:
The next ones will be held on:-
May 26 & 27th
June 23 & 24th
July 28 & 29th.
As you can see from these newsletters, there is P-L-E-N-T-Y happening at The Junction. Can you help out on any of the above projects???
CAR-VAN 1047:
The seat recovering is continuing. Wingnut put six back just before our first open day. There are still a few jobs to do on this car - but at least the list is getting smaller.
BUNK-CAR:
We would like to get on with repairing and upgrading this. Who can help??
Since starting this newsletter less that a week ago, a few more things have happened.
Loco-shed:
Richard, assisted by Bob, has painted the older part of the shed. The workshop end will be painted "when it has been tidied up and completed".
Mines Car:
Ian Jenner has been down again and finished all the heavy timber work on one end. Only the bugger is still to go back in, and then decking, steps, handrails etc etc etc.
Gantry crane:
Many years ago, we obtained a small gantry crane from NZR that was outside the Car Lighting Depot in the old Auckland Railway Yard. The parts for this gantry have sat `for some years' in the honeysuckle at The Junction - but often talked about as being a piece of necessary gear. Chris Mann drew up the necessary drawings, but drawings of the foundations took much longer. These drawings finally arrived about 6 weeks ago and Richard is presently putting all the pieces together, with the bracing and getting the framework ready for painting.
DON'T BE SURPRISED if you see the gantry erected in a few months.
LAWNS:
Richard also spent some time fixing up the lawn-mower, then trimming up the grassed areas.
Report from `The North Waikato Tatler' 26th April:
NEWS FROM THE RECENT CHARTER:
Did you hear about ONE of our Colin's - who was resplendent in HIS uniform - (and then had to return to Huntly to collect the main attraction of the day - GEMMA!!!)