Thursday, July 18, 2019

MUSEUM GROUNDS

Our Parkinson walk on Monday was around the Museum grounds.  It was more of a saunter. 
First we walked alongside the sheds where the old tractors etc are brought back to life but, unfortunately, they were not open.  We carried on and walked by the railway tracks to a shed at the back where some old tram carriages were being worked on.  Outside there were some old engines waiting their turn and a machine that they had built from scratch to work on the tracks.  

You can just see on this top photo that the carriage has been completely stripped back at the sides.  They were also making new windows.  This is all volunteer work.







This is the machine they had made to straighten and work on the railway tracks.





The forecast had been for rain but it was a beautiful day.    We have very rarely had to cancel a walk.  Well, we do not cancel but go to the nearest cafe and just miss the walking part but I can only recall one occasion when we did this.  There was a second but the weather cleared while we had our coffee so we had the walk afterwards.



These engines will be brought back to life as time and funds permit.





10 comments:

  1. In Auckland, trams were the highlight of a trip there from the farm.When I was 15, I stayed with a friend in Onehunga, and we went by tram to Queen Street each day, when I had a holiday job.Then some were used as holiday homes in Thames, and maybe other places too.So good to see they are being restored.Love the view from the big doorway.

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    1. There were only trolley buses when I came to Auckland. Yes, I have seen the old ones in Thames. These ones are being completely stripped down and made good.

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  2. So wonderful all the work is being done by volunteers. We need a boat museum like that here, would keep the men busy and out of the cafes, especially the pensioners

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    1. There is a group here called "Mens' Shed" That works on all sort of projects (and gives men something to do) but I think this group is separate. They were all enjoying themselves anyway.

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  3. I wonder if you remember Frank Brazier from Second Avenue (Louise's father). He used to volunteer restoring old planes. Before he died he'd been working on a Lancaster Bomber. It's never been an aim of mine, but a lot of men seem to get huge satisfaction from restoring old wrecks!

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    1. Louise's name rings a bell but I didn't know them. Was living in London then N.Z

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  4. wow what a cool place, I think the other half would be interested in that.

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    1. It is really interesting when they have open days with old tractors and cars working.

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  5. I would love to have a saunter through there. I always found the most interesting part of visiting the Air Museum at Duxford was being able to see the restoration work in progress. I used to lead walks for a firm specialising in walking holidays - it always amazed me how few days were complete wash-outs, we nearly always managed to get some sort of walk.

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  6. We must go to this museum next visit!

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