Homebush Canterbury NZ open days 2014

This year the open days are the 2nd, and 30th of November. Ian S C

I'v been trying to load a map, but I can't get JPG. So here goes; From the west end of Darfield turn left onto State Highway 72/77 The Inland Scenic Route. Homebush is 8 kms from Darfield and well sign posted (I put the signs up this morning).

The new house is occupied, and nearly finished, this replaces the old homestead that was destroyed in the September 2010 earthquake.

Ian S C

Hi Ian, is this it:

Ian had not considered steam museums in NZ .........are there many?

A visit to NZ maybe happening about this time next year. LOML will be visiting anything o do with wool and fibre, while I have Lynn museum on the cards so far.

Neil all I see is a large white square.

Raymond, yes there are steam museums in NZ. In Christchurch there is Ferrymede that has Trams (includes steam tram), and steam locomotives. Then there is Steam Scene with Traction Engines, and Stationary Engines.

In Dunedin there is the old Gasworks, well worth a visit. Also the Early Settlers Museum that houses Josiphine(spelling), a Double Fairly Locomotive.

the Main Line Steam Trust(think that's right) just north of Wellington. And MOTAT in Auckland.

If you are interested in rail trips, there is the Trans Alpine, It goes through my town each day heading for Greymouth on the West Coast of the South Island, considered one of the top train trips in the world.

Main exhibit at our museum is the turbine in the photo.

Ian S C

Thanks Ian it will depend on if we fly over or do the cruise.

Got to look into wheelchair accommodation if we fly. If cruise doubt there will be enough time.

One of the trips from the cruise ships entails a ride on the Trans Alpine railway to Arthurs Pass, then a bus trip back, stopping on the way at Homebush for a cupper, or it's a bus trip, with a stop at Homebush, catch the train at Arthurs Pass back to Christchurch. Might be a bit arduous in a wheel chair, depending on how you are at managing things.

Ian S C

Hi Ian

"Neil all I see is a large white square."

I had the same problem just select the square and roll the mouse wheel toward you.

Hope this helps

Eric

I have no problem seeing Neil's map.


Ian again thanks did a search and found the site as wellas utube videos in one it clearly shows wheelchair access ramp / lift not in use tho?

I am not a parra just weak muscle due to CMT and other injuries and ill health.

In searching I found many sites in NZ catering for such as myself either if we fly or cruise to NZ. The cruise would give Sue the greatest break , where as flying more time to see and do.

Ian is perhaps being a little modest about NZ's engineering attractions. Not steam but there is a wonderful by any standards transport Museum between Palmerston North and Wellington (forget exactly where but sure Ian will know ) I got the feeling they probably did n't know the value of some of the items in there and a pretty good one but smaller S. of Christchurch (mainly old tractors and agricultural stuff.)

The South Island is even better with a fantastic museum at Wanaka (not much of a rust problem there and much is outside.) Whats more theres lots of stuff inside to keep the ladies happy. Outside Earth moving plant, huge US and Japanese fire Engines ,aircraft , WW2 fighting machines of all kinds and lots more. There is also a very interesting 3D museum which is a lot better than just "3D museum" suggests . Full of full size optical illusions.,puzzles, Trompe l'oeil paintings etc which have to be seen to be believed.A whole day in Wanaka (not far from Queenstown) would not be wasted. The Kiwis love their old vehicles and engineering history and there must be a lot more. You can also visit Richard ""Bamboo" Pearse's monument etc. , a guy who incredibly built probably the first aircraft to fly, (the engine -the lot) on his remote farm well away from large cities on the South Island. There is a lot of evidence he took off and made a few flights for considerable distances and he did n't use a catapult assisted launch unlike the Wrights' first efforts. He never claimed to be first as he never mastered the controlled landing. He took off and made controlled flights but did n't think it counted unless you made a controlled landing. Happily he survived all the landings but the last part of his life was rather tragic

Edited By alan frost on 26/10/2014 02:06:06

Hi to all

With apologies to Ian for jumping in

"Museum between Palmerston North and Wellington" is on Highway 57 at 744 Makerua Rd Tokomaru

website is at

http://www.tokomarusteam.com/

Had the pleasure of roaming round this wonderful collection and Colin allowed me to view his workshops that are Not open to the public alas.

Fascinating place for anyone interested in old machinery.

Eric

One could say that we live in a museum here, there seems to be one round every corner, there is a small one about 100 meters from home here, lots of old hit and miss engines, tools, old electrical fittings, you name it's got a good chance of being there.

Even the railway is just large scale model stuff (3' 6" g), not run for profit.

Ian S C

We have some good examples of Victorian engineering, such as the wooden toothed bevel gear on the drive from the Turbine, the gear on the horizontal shaft is cast iron, and is not machined. The gears run quite quietly, with just a low rumbling noise. The wooden teeth are mounted in the cast iron frame of the wheel, and have survived over 130 years, they must have got the loading right. The gears are about 3ft diameter.

Ian S C

Ray, if you do get to NZ, Motat in Auckland is well worth a visit, lots of stuff there, and close to the port if you go by ship to Auckland. If you cruise, lots of sea days, to see the most of NZ, in my opinion do a land based tour, very friendly helpful folk there, you can do what you like, or maybe a cruise and stay?

Chris Gunn

Ian and Chris thanks for the info. I have been doing a bit of research as to the cruise side so far and for wheelchair access material seems NZ is and has some excellent business, well set up and info in that regard. I do not expect to get in everywhere or see everything. I/we would love to fly drive more so if I still had licence to do so, LOLM does it now and she has enough hassles here knowing the roads LOL.

My SiL's grand mother lives in Auckland and has just gone into a nursing home it would be great if daughter and he could go with us hire a camper or car and he do the driving that would be fly in fly out for sure and a 2 week stay would be nice.

12 months away so I/we are hoping its a reality.

Had our 2nd open day today, about 30% more people than the last one, lots of interest, some even threatened to come back next year

Ian S C