The wild weather has made weed–spraying difficult and also damaged the workshop electrical system, with a couple of switches and a fuse needing to be replaced.

Professional assistance was sought to investigate the Hunslett DSA’s increasingly lacklustre performance. The motor and transmission were assessed and found to be in excellent condition. However the torque converter oil was in poor condition and air locked. It was replaced and as a precaution the clutch was adjusted; a less than straight forward task. The result is much improved performance and lower operating temperatures.

The end window for Katiki Station has been repaired and primed. Charter bookings are up on previous years.

The Kerr Stuart wheels have been repaired, the re-profiling is superb and the project is running slightly below budget. The repairs to the loose wheel and damaged axle went well and this was pressed back on to the correct tolerence.

The Kerr Stuart wheel sets arriving back at the OBR.

Funding has been secured for repairing the mechanical aspects of steam locomotive F111. The springs have been removed and sent to a specialist spring maker for overhaul. The Cattle Wagon (T175) bogie springs have also been removed and sent north.

A spate of minor break-ins occurred prior to Christmas. After a bit of detective work from one of our own members, the police and justice system swung into action. The majority of the tools have been recovered and reparation received for the balance.

The fire main has been extended south with two extra hydrants provided for. This now completes the project.

Steam locomotive A67 has been running well although steam leaks in the smoke box have proven time-consuming and frustrating to repair. The thread also stripped on one of the motion wedge blocks. A new component was manufactured and fitted without the locomotive needing to be out of service for any length of time.

Construction has commenced on a trolley shed. We have been quietly procuring materials for some time for the project. It is a replica of an NZR 2 bay shed and is being constructed at minimal cost.

The “Thomas the Tank Engine” faces have received a repaint and have gained quite a bit of character and look really good.

Cabling for the new fire detection system is advancing well.