Newspaper Article 1995 – Four years down the track

Four years down the track

When the YMCA decided that the only way to transport children to the annual camp at Opoutama was in a train, no one knew what a long and difficult track had been embarked on.

YMCA supervisor Dennis Oliver said soon after it had been decided to use rail transport, New Zealand Rail took the passenger service off the Napier-to-Gisborne line.

The YMCA decided it would buy its own carriages but that was not possible. The nearest it could find was two guards’ vans and it would have to convert them into carriages.

“I think its the first time it has been done. We have been working on it for a year. Task Force Green workers, using the equipment at McDonald Engineering, Havelock North, have cut and welded the guards’ vans into shape.

“The safety requirements from New Zealand are very stringent so its been a long job,” Mr Oliver said.

“We have taken it right up to specifications. It could be taken anywhere in New Zealand and be used.”

That was four years ago and the journey is finally coming to its destination.

The little carriages have taken shape and are almost ready to be painted in colours of the sponsors they hope to find.

The cost of the conversion is estimated to be about $150,000 and next month the YMCA will be looking for sponsors.

All going well we’ll be on the tracks by Christmas.

Photo caption – Task Force Workers working on the conversion of guards’ vans into small railway carriages at McDonald Engineering, Havelock North yesterday. From left: Supervisor Joe Hepi, Stephen Blake, Tim Williams, Jeff Kirk and John Timms.