One-hundred-and-fifty registered Holdens on the cruise stopped at Pleasant Point, and another 20 joined in, with about 330 people in total, Blanchard said. “It was a non-stop convoy of Holdens. It was quite spectacular. I’ve never seen so many Holdens.”
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Fixing the spark arrester on the D16 steam engine is Dowell McLeod, at the Pleasant Point Railway and Museum, over Easter. The D16 engine was steamed up and attracted plenty of attention. The engine was donated by Pukeuri meatworks and restored within 18 months by society members, Blanchard said. “It was made in Glasgow in 1878 and was one of New Zealand’s early steam locomotives.”
“He couldn’t take the engine with him.” Coulter believed the father and son built the model based on “actually drawings” of the Ab608. “I wanted to get it back together because it means something to me. I worked with George Martin for five years. “If I didn’t do it, it may have got lost in the scrapyard. It could have been lost forever.”
Bejon Haswell/Stuff
A two-metre-long model Ab608 railway engine and tender is on display at the Pleasant Point Railway and Museum. Coulter poured 500 to 600 hours into restoring the model to its original state, doing so in “three blocks” – the first when he bought it, the second after his children left home, and the third in lockdown.
FRIDAY
Live music: 8-11pm at Hector Black’s Lounge Bar on Stafford St, Timaru. Dunedin band Oscar LaDell and Hoot bring their summer tour of blues, funk, rock, soul, and R&B music to Timaru. Entry is $10.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Railcar operating days: 11am-4pm at the Pleasant Point Railway and Museum on Afghan St. On non-steaming days, the Ford Model T Replica Rail Car operates daily, leaving the station on the hour until the last train at 3pm. Includes an hour-long guided tour of the museum and short historic movie. Entry is $12 for adults, $6 for children, or $35 for a family. Runs until February 28.
At the Pleasant Point Railway Steaming Day on Sunday are Leon James, left, and Bill Noble.
The Pleasant Point Museum and Railway may be missing out on overseas tourists but its steaming and railcar sessions are attracting New Zealanders from far and wide. Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society president Bryan Blanchard said they were getting up to 200 visitors a day on steaming days despite missing out on hundreds of overseas travellers. “Covid has affected overseas tourists in a big way but we’re still in touch with some who say they will be back once it’s over.”
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