The last few months at the railway haven been fairly busy with several milestones being passed.

We recently obtained our new interim license from Land Transport New Zealand. While the new legislation presents new challenges, it also provides new opportunities for us. The coming months should see a transition to a more straight forward operating environment at the railway.

We have recently been approached by a model engineer who intends building a working model of TR81. This will be the third time that one of our locomotives has been built in miniature.

Work on cattle wagon T175 has progressed well as a result of recent mild weather. The last major section of rusty steelwork has been cleaned back, treated and painted, leaving just 3 roof beams and a few other areas to be treated. The last installment of long timber cladding for the side of the wagon has been sanded and painted and will be installed in the next few weeks. The balance of the flooring timber has also been sanded, and painting of this is under way. The next major job will be refurbishing the 4th main door, and the remaining drop doors, along with reinstating the footboard on top of the wagon.

Work on box wagon K610 has also progressed, mainly on the interior. Some awkward and frustratingly time-consuming repairs to severely damaged timber cladding is now complete and about a third of the ceiling is ready for painting; and half the interior has been primed.

Some reasonably complex repair work has been undertaken on the Kerr Stuart locomotive frame which will hopefully be the subject of a forthcoming article. Ferrum Engineering have commenced work repairing the long debated loose wheel. The wheels were loaded onto Ferrums modern truck using our 19th Century Hand Crane.

A67’s annual boiler survey is also proceeding well with the boiler inspection complete and work on reassembly well under way. The main steam dome and safety valves have been refitted, as have numerous steam valves and other components. A leak in the smoke box plumbing is being attended to and new gland packings are to be fitted now that the struggle to remove the old ones is complete. Provided a fundraising job doesn't impact too heavily on the workforce, it is hoped to use this locomotive for part of the Small Trains Show in early September.

As mentioned in the last update, a quantity of timber has been salvaged from a building under demolition. The best timber is being salvaged for use on carriages and for a proposed implement shed while the balance is being turned into firewood.

The carburetor for the 6 man motor trolley has been overhauled and fitted to the motor. The test run produced sufficient noise and fumes for the overhaul to be judged a success. As time allows, this trolley will be reassembled and repainted, adding yet another vehicle to our list of restored machines.

Now that the flashings and moldings are complete on the station restoration project, attention has turned to removing the old paint from the ceiling and refurbishing the window frame.

Justice has been served to the two people involved in breaking in to our railway and the neighboring rugby club. One received a month in prison while the other is doing 200 hours community service and paying reparation to both organisations.

A successful private charter operated in late July hauled by DS 203; and a special operating weekend was held over the weekend of the 27th and 28th of August using TR81. Both events proved popular with members and visitors and has provided some useful funds in this normally austere part of the year.

An intriguing behind the scenes visit to Moana Pool, the city's largest swimming pool / aquatic center was made in mid August. Members were able to view the many pumps, treatment systems and boilers in use following the major renovations a few years ago.

We have welcomed a couple of new members to the organisation and several other visitors plan to join during what is an exciting time to be involved in New Zealand's oldest rail preservation project. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to find out more about our activities.