Transportation displays and future plans at WIHP
As I write this the celebrations for the opening of the Otira rail tunnel 100 years ago, will be in full swing on site at Otira. This is the beginning of a period of acknowledging the events that connected Westland to the rest of the country by land sea and air.
At Westland Industrial Heritage Park many of our displays follow this theme. The Livery display is expanding and features the Halls stagecoach that was the last to travel the Arthur’s Pass route before being replaced by the train when the Otira rail tunnel was completed. The boatshed, which has shared a building with the Livery, is to get a new home. This will be developed into a Maritime Centre, telling the stories of water transport, from river ferries to pleasure craft on the lakes to the port of Hokitika. The Livery display will continue to develop telling the stories of horse-drawn or borne transport.
To continue the transport theme, some of our members are keen to plan an Aviation Centre. This is very much in the concept development stage.
Industrial Heritage and many of our exhibits are, by their nature connected to the transport theme. We have earthmoving machines and trucks that built the roads, railways and airports. The railways are featured in some exhibits and are represented by our very popular Miniature Mudfish Bush Railway.
In the meantime, it’s business as usual at the Heritage Park. As well as the Livery, steady, if slow, progress continues in the steam shed; more sewing machines are joining the display and being restored to working order. Wiring work is underway in the Fire Museum and a number of other small vehicle restoration projects are progressing well.
The Landscaping group are progressing with new plans to include some of the old machinery and develop more information and viewing areas.
The Mudfish railway has continued to operate on Saturdays when weather permits. On King’s Birthday and Matariki weekends, we ran extra days and included night runs that went very well. We are grateful for our visiting enthusiasts from Halswell, Blenheim, Nelson and Greymouth who brought their locomotives (including the very popular steam locos) to assist in giving great rides to our visitors.
Our admin team has received a blow with the loss of our assistant secretary, Beryl Agnew. She has been a tireless worker and provided us with great service. She and Roger will continue to help with the landscaping.
The WIHP AGM took place on Wednesday 9 August. The planning of ambitious new projects and progress on existing projects is hampered by our very small workforce. So, if you are interested in any of the projects or just being involved with a great group of people, come and join us.
Bob Gaiger
Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Web site http://www.rustyrelics.co.nz
Photos: Westland Industrial Heritage Park
