We’ve been getting monthly newsletters in the mail from the Plimmerton residents association (which reminds me, we should really pay our sub, I suspect out landlady paid previously) and one of the news items each month has been about the refurbishment of Plimmerton Station. Largely performed through volunteer work the day came for the grand opening so I walked down the hill to have a look.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Refurbished to echo its 1940 construction the station building is looking very smart. One surprise was the opening of a shop in the station which sells a lot of model trains and other train related memorabilia (including Thomas the Tank Engine track pieces Bridget). More information on the station can be found here: http://www.plimmerton.org.nz/railway-station/.
The newsletter had encouraged locals to dress in 1940’s costume and there were a smattering of people looking very dapper in their impressive clothes styled on the era. To add to the festival atmosphere a steam train arrived to take passengers on a special journey commemorating the event.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
The steam train was only the platform for a quarter hour or so before it had to move away to allow the regular scheduled services through and it reversed back along the line before heading into the siding that houses the workshop for the Wellington branch of Mainline Steam. While getting a refill of water and some running repairs we were able to get up close with the magnificent engine and also look around the workshop, including being able to walk through a lovely refurbished old carriage.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
The Hutt Valley built steam locomotive, designation KA 942, entered service in November 1940 and is still going strong. One everything was done the locomotive was reversed onto the turntable and once turned around went back and forth to attach first a water carriage and then a passenger carriage. Then it was out on to the track and presumably back to the station for loading up with passengers, but we left before this happened.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
You have a very talented eye. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more images of Plimmerton.