Steam scheme support

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 390, 11 June 1991, Page 1

Steam scheme support

The age of steam looks set to return to the Waimarino, at least on a more regular basis, if the support of local representatives is cairied through to the Ruapehu District Council.

Ohakune's railway enthusiasts have asked for $8,000 of reserves fund money for a steam engine turntable at the Ohakune Junction and $17,000 for a steam-age signal box. And the Waimarino Community Board has supported the Preservation of Ohakune Railway Station (PORS) submission. At last week's community board meeting PORS chairman Bob Norling presented the submission to the Board, supported by two other PORS members, Graham Parker and Dennis Beytagh. The group has negotiated with Railways to obtain the land on which the old Junction steam engine turntable is sited, as well as the rail roads leading to it. Steam day trips If restored, the turntable could be used to turn steam engines around, making day trips for steam trains possible

from Auckland and Wellington. "PORS is at a critical point in the development of the Junction project," said Mr Norling in the submission. He said the group had come a long way since their beginnings only September 1990 and had worked so far entirely on voluntary labour. "If we are to progress and create the asset to the district that we know we can, funds for the projects outlined above are essential." He said one of the group's aims is to attract more visitors to the Waimarino by making rail transport and especially reception of rail passengers. "The key way to attract more people is through steam excursions." He said his group was negotiating with Railways for the return of the turntable cradle, which Turnpage2

Steam train scheme support

From page 1 is located in New Plymouth. Railways support Railways has put a proposal to PORS

whereby Railnet would provide: the necessary track for back shunting and to connect the turntable to the Main Trunk Line through a new yard; track for a static display; track for a small static display in front of the station on Thames Street; and the heavy machinery required for laying the lines. In return PORS would organise a team to uplift the rails materials no longer required by Railnet; and pay the dismantling team. Estimated costs of this part of the project were given as $3000 for the resiting if the cradle; $2000 for the turntable's renovation; and $3000

for wages for ex-railway men to uplift the surplus track. The other part of the submission was for funds to transport, relocate, restore and landscape a signal box to the Ohakune Junction, to a piece of Council land in front of the Railway Station in Thames Street. "The long term aim of PORS is to preserve Ohakune's Railway heritage by assembling and reconstructing many of the old Railway buildings to form a Main Trunk Rail Museum," said the group. The central feature of such operations was the signal box, and PORS has lo-

cated one at Paekakariki. Money available Acting community board chairman Bruce Thompson said he believed there was $25,000 of reserves contributions money available, earmarked for plantings, which could be better spent on such a worthwhile project. Cr Doug Bennett said he would like to see some fund raising efforts on the part of PORS, to match any money the council would put in. He said if the community contributed in this way the council could be sure the project had their support. Cr Ellen Gould said spending time raising

money would divert the small group from the work they were currently undertaking, and that there already had been a substantial amount committed from the community in voluntary labour, donated materials and money. The board heard that the submission would be heard by the council, with the final budget set by the end of July. "This development is certainly the most exciting in the area since the electrification," said mayor Garrick Workman. "It ties in nicely with the tourism development of the district, and I will support it to the hilt."