Letters Opapa Station 2000

FRIENDS OF THE OPAPA RAILWAY STATION.

8 Tasman Street,
Havelock North.
21st. March 2000.

Councillor C. Bowers.
Hastings District Council,
Hastings.

Dear Mrs. Bowers.

Thank you for your letter, & looking forward to meeting Claire McCormack from the council & will be happy to work with her & give what imformation [information] that the department requiries [requires].

On the 11th.March, the group had a B.B.Q. followed by the A.G.M. We then had a interesting guest speaker, Don Selby of P.O. Box 67 Pahiatua, who is a railcar enthuslast [enthusiast]. He is in partnership-owner of a “Standard” railcar which is in running order, waiting to be “Certified” by Transrail [TranzRail] to allow the car to be used on their system, also Don has a interest in what is known as the Wairarapa railcar being restored at Pahiatua that was designed to travel over the Rimuatuka [Rimutaka] incline. This is the only one left out of 8 cars.

In the 1950-60s era N.Z.R. introduced what was known as a 88 seater articulated twin set, (painted red). cars, which serviced the H.B. line for many years. In fact the Gis-Wtgn & the Wtgn-Gis services used to cross over at Opapa on their daily run. About 3Km. north of Otane is the half way point between Gisborne & Wellington. There were 35 purchased by N.Z.R. & sadly there is only one left which is in Auckland. Towards the end of their self propelled life, the motors were removed & were repainted a light green & become known as the “Grasshopper” & were towed by a diesel locomotive.

The one left, RM133, (were numbered from RM100-34) is in good condition now has a new held over owner in the name of Don at the time of writing. A trust has or about to be registered to preserve this unit. The request is to shift it to Opapa Railway Station in conjunction with “Friends of the Opapa Railway Station” group.

I feel as writer, this new attraction will be a great benefit to Opapa-Te Aute area, Hastings District Council & to the Historcial [Historical] Heritage group, in the veiw [view] to upgrade & improve historical amenities.

As further developments occur, I will kept you posted. We may be able to get the local papers for photographs & a scrip [script] on its arrival.

Your Faithfully,

Concordator. [Coordinator]

Hastings District Council

Private Bag 9002
DX MA75020
Lyndon Road East
HASTINGS

Telephone (06) 878 0500
Facsimile (06) 878 0555
E-mail address [email protected]
File Ref A3175 CB :CHS

31 March 2000

Mr Spud Langley
RM 133 Trust
[Address withheld – KB]
HASTINGS

Dear Mr Langley

Thank you for updating me on your proposal to preserve the RM 133 railcar and to relocate it to Opapa Railway Station.

Recently the Mayor and I were invited by the Friends of the Opapa railway Station to visit the Opapa Station. We were both very impressed by the restoration work that is being undertaken there by a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.

Your proposal to relocate RM 133 to this site will complement the restored station very well and will add another very relevant heritage component. It will also be a wonderful tourist attraction.

One of the four key elements of the Hastings Landmarks Commission is history and your project is right in line with this element.  An understanding of our history is vital if we are to fully develop our primary objective of Landmarks – to enhance our sense of pride and identity as a community.

I fully support this project and wish you well.

Yours faithfully

Signed

CYNTHIA BOWERS
CHAIRMAN, SPECIAL LANDMARKS COMMITTEE

c.c. Mr Tom Wheeler, 8 Tasman Street, Havelock North
Mr J P Dwyer

8 Tasman Street,
Havelock North.
10th. July 2000

Councillor C. Bowers.
Hastings District Council.
Hastings.

Dear Mrs. Bowers.

Friends of the Opapa Railway Station.

Enclosed is a photo copy from the June 2000 “Railfun” [“Railfan’] , which a news item about the R M 133 railcar was published.

It could be of interest to you & council.

It is purpose to shift the railcar to Opapa about november when the ground drys out.

I must point out that I am not a member of the railcar trust, but/as a member of the station, we are closely connected with the new attraction.

Last Saturday, we had a visit from members of the Ormondville group, and the rail historic trust, both parties were very impressed of the achievements that has been made.

I haven’t advised the mayor and Claire McCormack of the latest news. You will probable do this for the councils records.

Yours faithfully

Tom Wheeler