Ohakune station spick and span again

Ruapehu Bulletin, 26 March 1991, Page 6

Ohakune station spick and span again

A major clean up operation was undertaken at the Ohakune Railway Station last weekend in, preparation for the arrival of Ka945 at Easter. ; The Preservation ofj the Ohakune Railwayj Station (PORS) group, spent Saturday and Sunday repairing and leveling the platform surface with cold mix tar and a compacter, repairing and replacing rotten woodwork and sanding and painting the exterior. Among those who gave their time were Laurie and Merle Weller, Bob and Colleen Norling, Graham Parker, Peter Chapman, Dennis Beytagh, Kevin Pearson, Chris Melody, CHff Mills (a former engine driver form Palmerston North) and Ruapehu District Council Mayor, Carrick Workman, who managed to fit in a couple of hours on Sunday between official engagements. A colour scheme for the exterior of the building was decided over the weekend and 20 litres of paint is being donated by Clyde Olsen of Rimu Street. Another visitor to the station was Trevor Reynolds who said he would donate some native trees and shrubs. Among the other im-

provements planned:) the provision of bench seating on the platform, the provision of functioning toilets, a fresh coat of paint wherever possible, repairs to the' platform surface, repairs to and grading of the access road surface, repainting the safety line along the platform edge, provision of platform lighting, the conversion of the former waiting room/booking office into a display area with railways memorabillia and photographs, the availability of railway baggage barrows, the provision of decorative shrubbery on the platform around the canopy supports, the provision by the Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigade of their 'Dark Town' display vehicle, the provision of an in-

formation display board. It is also hoped that, among other welcoming projects, the PORS group will be able to organise a performance by the Waimarino Brass Band as the train pulls into the station on Friday evening and again when it pulls out on Saturday morning. The PORS group also hope to have souvenir T-shirts available for sale in time for Easter. The profit from the sale of these T-shirts will be used by the PORS group to fund further restoration work on. the station. The PORS group would appreciate the donation of any working second-hand cistern which might be surplus to requirements for use at the station.