Despite a key team member suffering ill health, the boiler survey on A67 is progressing well and it will return to service later this month. The survey has progressed well and nothing unexpected was discovered during the examination of the boiler or during the maintenance of other components of the locomotive.
Completion of the removal of the roof covering on box wagon K610 (a particularly time-consuming and unpleasant task) marked another milestone in the refurbishment of this elderly vehicle. The framing on the second-to-last wall section of the wagon is now complete, the new tie-rods and diagonal bracing having been recently fitted. The old interior cladding is currently being reaffixed to the refurbished framing, and new exterior cladding will be fitted shortly. There is evidence of accident damage in this vehicle and upgrading substandard repairs performed by its original owners is slowing the project. A number of steel components such as brackets and angle-iron flashings are having to be straightened and repaired prior to the anticipated timber repairs being undertaken.
Cattle Wagon T 175 has also received some attention. The first drop door has been refitted and functions well. The second drop door has been dismantled and the hinges & associated steel work have been cleaned back to bare steel prior to repainting. The steel work for the second main door has received similar treatment and once painted, will complete the restoration of this door.
Work on the former Katiki Station continues to progress. The replacement weatherboard on the front of the building is almost complete and the teams thoughts are returning to the roof. The platform area has also been tidied with the addition of more gravel to the precinct and the reinstatement of the former Dunedin Station gaslight. The foundations have also been laid for the coal shed (a renovated former NZR building) and it will be added to the precinct shortly.
The track department has been battling the weeds on the formation but this is largely under control now.
The railway hosted a number of younger visitors in mid December as part of end-of-year school functions. It was pleasing to see the interest and enthusiasm that the staff and pupils showed in the railway.