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PROGRESS REPORT August 2007 RESTORATION OF WELLINGTON &
MANAWATU RAILWAY CO.
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Latest Activity - the testing of WMR Carriage, Car # A48
Second of April 2011 and the WMR Car is mobile.
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Bill Prebble gives the car a last minute check over before it is coupled up to the duty loco.
and it is squeezed under the roller door onto the tracks. |
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| On the road. Showing the extent of the refurbished woodwork. |
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The car is run over the Silver Stream Railway's line and passes under the signal gantry. At the McKirdy station platform and a check being made of the running gear. |
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BACKGROUND: The NZ Railway & Locomotive
Society Inc (NZRLS) owns two ex WMR cars which are located at
Silverstream, Hutt Valley. Before restoration work could commence,
we had to erect a display shed/workshop, build a track base,
concrete the shed floor and front apron, and install an electrical
supply. The building is wired for lighting, single and three phase
power. Other utilities are to be installed later.
THE CARS: Both cars were built in 1906 by WMR
at its Thorndon, Wellington workshops, to Jackson & Sharp (USA)
plans for carriages supplied by that firm in 1902. Principally
constructed from kauri salvaged from the company’s original
Belmont viaduct, they feature American oak and mahogany interior
finishing timbers. #48 is structurally sound. #52 is in an advanced
state of failure, mostly from decay of timber.
STATUS: A small group commenced restoration of
#48 late in 2004, under the auspices of the NZR&LS. Funding has
been from grants by community trusts and from donations.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE: Restoration of #48 to the
original internal and external appearance as it was completed by WMR
in 1906. The target completion date is December 2008 – the
centenary of WMR acquisition by NZR and the opening of the NIMT.
Future restoration of #52 will be considered after completion of
#48.
WORK TO DATE: In the past 2½ years the
car has been stripped of modifications made after the Government’s
purchase of the WMR in 1908 and all decayed timber. The body has
been straightened. Replacement framing and new cladding have all
been fitted. Some internal paint stripping has been carried out. The
bogies have been disassembled, overhauled and painted.
WORK IN PROGRESS: Hardwood parts for the new
end platforms are machined and ready to be fitted. Fitting of
headers to the windows is under way.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: A big “thank you”
to our many sponsors and suppliers of grants, materials or services,
for your support. A great deal has been achieved since we began this
project. We look forward to another year’s progress and hope
to tell you more of this in 2008.
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Some images from the shop 
New clerestory sashes assembled ready for glazing, with one completed sash.
New headstock ready for placement on tenoned joints with old and replacement framing timbers. These timbers are a tribute to the joiner’s art.
Overhauled bogies stored ready for wheels and replacement under the body.
Photos: R. Merrifield. |
