Rail group seeks new members

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 432, 14 April 1992, Page 10

Rail group seeks new members

BY

DENNIS

BEYTAGH

Last Thursday evening's Ohakune Planning Meeting confirmed community support for the railway revival project currently being undertaken by a local group of railway enthusiasts. The 60 or so people who gathered at the Ohakune Club for a promotional 'brainstorming' session came up with no fewer than 400 different ideas and suggestions to bring visitors into the region (see separate report). Prominent among these ideas were many relating to the railway revival project at Ohakune Junction which is being steered through its initial stages by members of Main Trunk Rail Ohakune (MTRO) Incorporated. This group of railway enthusiasts, formerly known as PORS (Preservation of the Ohakune Railway Station), has been active for the past two years working towards its objective of restoring Ohakune's pioneer heritage when the age of steam brought life and industry and people to Ohakune at the turn of the century. Two years ago the group managed, in a last-minute reprieve, to save the abandoned and derelict railway station building - one of Ohakune's first major buildings - from demolition and removal. Since then the building has received a fresh coat of paint, damage has been repaired, broken windows have been re-glazed, its public amenities have been restored and work is in hand to provide a re-

freshment and tourist information facility. The original turntable has already been located and excavated in preparation for the installation of the 145tonne cradle. This will enable locomotives of steamtrain excursions from Auckland and Wellington to be turned around for the return journey home after their passengers have spent time and money in and around Ohakune. New track is currently being laid and other future plans include the restoration of a locomotive service shed (so that steam locomotives can be stationed and maintained in Ohakune), the setting up of a railway museum and a static outdoor display of early New Zealand railway equipment including a manually operated lever signal box. So far all this - and more - has been achieved by a small group of dedicated and far-sighted local people - many of them former railway employees but others merely railway enthusiasts or historically aware individuals who have the interests of Ohakune and the community at heart - who formed themselves into PORS/MTRO two years ago. Indeed had they not done so it would have been too late ... the station building would have disappeared and the remaining railyards (which included the turntable and service pits) would have been sold off. However, whilst members of MTRO were convinced that their voluntary efforts to save the station and create a

viable tourist attraction, there wasn't until last Thursday evening's Planning Meeting, a chance to gauge the level of public support within the wider community. Now that that support and interest has been endorsed by last Thursday's public meeting, the 20 or 50 active members of MTRO have been encouraged to continue to direct their efforts towards the long-term interests of the local community. Help and encouragement has already come from several sources. They include: Ruapehu District Council; Ohakune Fire Brigade; Ruapehu Lions; NZ Rail; local contractors; King Country Energy; Ruapehu College; and many other organisations and private individuals. But help is still needed if all the aims and objectives of the MTRO group to establish a comprehensive and viable railway village concept in the Ohakune Juncjtion area are to be achieved. For that reason MTRO - now a fully incorporated society - is seeking to widen its membership base by extending an invitation to everyone in the Bulletin readership area to participate in some way in this community project. Active members who would be prepared to join 'the team' and help with some of the work ahead would be welcome but financial help is also wanted to purchase paint and other materials to be used in the construction and main-

tenance of the turntable, water tower, railway museum, track etc. Funds are also required to hire specialised labour and heavy-duty equipment from time to time when necessary. Several different categories of financial membership are being offered. They are: Individual adults: $15 pa. Families: $25 pa. Children (while still at school): $5 pa. Corporate (business such as motels, hotels, retailers, restaurants etc): $100 pa. (see page this for membership application form). The above subscriptions will entitle MTRO members to: • Favourable discounts on all steam train excursions operating out of Ohakune. • Receive a 2monthly report updating activities and progress on the Ohakune Railway Village project. • Receive an invitation to all MTRO functions, socials etc. • Receive a personalised membership certificate. • Attend the MTRO's executive meetings in Ohakune each month. • Attend the MTRO Annual General Meeting in July each year. Given the degree of support and enthusiasm for this railway revival concept as evidenced by last Thursday's Planning Meeting these membership fees should be enough to ensure that the work will continue but donations would also be appreciated. These should be sent to: MTRO, PO Box 25, Ohakune, or handed in to Berry's Bookshop in Ohakune.