News from the Shantytown Railway
14 February 2004
Gertie was officially comissioned for service, a gathering of invited guests looked on while the retiring fitter who worked on her smashed a bottle of bubbly-wine-type stuff over her cowcatcher. Then the first official train left the station with Gertie on the front and Kaitangata on the rear.
24 December 2003
Gertie - PWD 508 had its first load trial on the Shantytown Railway. All went well. The previous day the boiler ticket was issued by M & I / SGS. During January further trials will be carried out on this engine.
21 August 2003
Acquired from local contractors was an old crossing control box, which was at some stage located next to the Midland Line, between Greymouth station and the Tainui Street level crossing, the box is in good order, and will possibly be restored and re-sited near the railway at Shantytown somewhere.
July 2003 - N306
Work started on this wagon early in July 2003, with the aim of restoring it to operational standard, once restored it will be used within the Shantytown Railway's yard as well as on some passenger trains as a runner as required.
8 May 2003
Riveting was completed, along with the rivets for the inner and outer fire box, the plam stays were attached to the boiler shell. The whole operation went well without any incidents.
7 May 2003
The riveting of the inner and outer fireboxes to the foundation was commenced, it is expected to take 2 days.
30 September 2002 - Traction Engine
The Maori was the number one exhibit at the J & H McLaren 125th Anniversary Rally. The rally was held to mark the the first traction engine being built by the two brothers. This machine their number 1, left their Midland works on 20 March 1877. Of all the Mclarens built 65% of them were exported; Today New Zealand has the largest number of McLarens surviving than any other country in the world.
24 September 2002- Jiggers
Work was started on finishing the painting of the 4 wheeled hand car. Most of the work on this was done by visiting school groups, once it has been repainted in its red colour it will return to its shelter near the engine shed. Photos of this restoration will come at a later date.
9 September 2002 - Traction Engine
On the 9 September 2002 McLaren traction engine No.227 left Shantytown for Christchurch. Here the Maori will be one of the star performers at the McLaren Traction Engine Rally to be held the 27-29 September 2002. Traction Engines from all over New Zealand are said to be attending, with The Maori being the oldest. Hopefully photos will come later.
July 2002 - Carriages
Carriages no 1 & 2 were repainted internally and externally. Along with this the under frames were cleaned. These two carriages now look very smart in their bright red paint.
Gertie was officially comissioned for service, a gathering of invited guests looked on while the retiring fitter who worked on her smashed a bottle of bubbly-wine-type stuff over her cowcatcher. Then the first official train left the station with Gertie on the front and Kaitangata on the rear.
24 December 2003
Gertie - PWD 508 had its first load trial on the Shantytown Railway. All went well. The previous day the boiler ticket was issued by M & I / SGS. During January further trials will be carried out on this engine.
21 August 2003
Acquired from local contractors was an old crossing control box, which was at some stage located next to the Midland Line, between Greymouth station and the Tainui Street level crossing, the box is in good order, and will possibly be restored and re-sited near the railway at Shantytown somewhere.
July 2003 - N306
Work started on this wagon early in July 2003, with the aim of restoring it to operational standard, once restored it will be used within the Shantytown Railway's yard as well as on some passenger trains as a runner as required.
8 May 2003
Riveting was completed, along with the rivets for the inner and outer fire box, the plam stays were attached to the boiler shell. The whole operation went well without any incidents.
7 May 2003
The riveting of the inner and outer fireboxes to the foundation was commenced, it is expected to take 2 days.
30 September 2002 - Traction Engine
The Maori was the number one exhibit at the J & H McLaren 125th Anniversary Rally. The rally was held to mark the the first traction engine being built by the two brothers. This machine their number 1, left their Midland works on 20 March 1877. Of all the Mclarens built 65% of them were exported; Today New Zealand has the largest number of McLarens surviving than any other country in the world.
24 September 2002- Jiggers
Work was started on finishing the painting of the 4 wheeled hand car. Most of the work on this was done by visiting school groups, once it has been repainted in its red colour it will return to its shelter near the engine shed. Photos of this restoration will come at a later date.
9 September 2002 - Traction Engine
On the 9 September 2002 McLaren traction engine No.227 left Shantytown for Christchurch. Here the Maori will be one of the star performers at the McLaren Traction Engine Rally to be held the 27-29 September 2002. Traction Engines from all over New Zealand are said to be attending, with The Maori being the oldest. Hopefully photos will come later.
July 2002 - Carriages
Carriages no 1 & 2 were repainted internally and externally. Along with this the under frames were cleaned. These two carriages now look very smart in their bright red paint.