Aims and objectives
Highlight its national importance as one of the early and unusual steam locomotives associated with the early period of NZ’s railway development (1870s). It was both an Otago and Canterbury engine.
Emphasise its retirement use post its NZGR (New Zealand Government Railway) use at the Port of Timaru and the link with Reefton and the coal industry. [Note: Timaru Harbour Board’s other ex NZR engine Wd 357, was formerly operating engine at Ferrymead Heritage Park]
Be a feature in the Reefton rail heritage precinct.
Give the opportunity for passenger train running both on and off the national network so that people get the opportunity to witness the engine working and its uniqueness, that could include use on the private lines such as Ferrymead Railway (not far from the Port of Lyttelton where the engine operated) / ‘Steam Scene’ Railway / Shantytown Railway / Oamaru Steam & Rail Railway / Dunedin Railways, the Taieri Gorge Railway (formerly the Otago Central Railway on which the engine used to run on) / The Weka Pass Railway etc.
Provide the opportunity for the locomotive as a regular operating exhibit at national Railway Museum, Ferrymead, Christchurch.
Programme
Graham Gollan removing fittings from the R22 replacement boiler
The loco is an asset owned by the Buller District Council (BDC) on behalf of the community. An existing lease dating back to 1981, between the Inangahua County Council (amalgamated with the Buller District Council in 1987) and the original Single Engine Fairlie Group is in place, but does need updating in line with the new local authority (Buller District Council) and the current restoration plans.
In the future, post the restoration of R 28 it is likely that the lease will be transferred from Reefton Inc to another community organisation with a specific mandate for heritage management. The initial step of Reefton Inc coordinating the restoration will enable the restoration of the engine to be achieved, as agreed by interested parties at a community meeting about the engine’s future, chaired by Bert Waghorn Inangahua Community Board Chairperson 2005.
Note to clarify the community groups involved:
The Fairlie Engine Committee – formed to save R28 from being removed from Reefton. In 1981 the committee moved the engine from the Reefton playground to its current location, The Strand. A letter of agreement and lease was put in place the following year between The Fairlie Engine Committee and the former local authority, the Inangahua County Council (now merged with the Buller District Council).
The Single Engine Fairlie Restoration Project Group – followed down the track from a meeting in 2005 between the original Fairlie Engine Committee, Inangahua Community Board representing the Buller District Council and additional interested parties/individuals.
Restoration Goal
The Mason Bogie Steam Locomotive "Torch Lake" in Dearborn Michigan is a fine example of what we wish to achieve. Photo: From the Collections of the Henry Ford.
The Single Engine Fairlie Restoration Project Group’ became formed in July 2010 and is a Reefton Inc sub committee dedicated to the engine’s restoration and operation. A goal is to have the engine operational by March / April 2018, it’ will be an opportunity to showcase a significant heritage item in the Buller District.
Restoration Considerations
Other than formalising an up-to-date lease for the engine, the first step has been to determine the suitability of utilising the spare R class boiler owned by the Canterbury Steam Preservation Soc, McLean’s Island, Christchurch. The boiler is the most critical component of the engine and the part of the engine that there is the most cost associated with its repair. Inspection of this boiler by SGS in 2012 has determined that the boiler can be brought into survey, i.e. be an operational boiler with minor repairs.
The boiler at Ferrymead has had its tubes removed and has been visually assessed (2004). It has been determined that amongst other things required to repair the boiler it will require a new inner firebox, a new lower front part of the front tube plate and repair of the lower boiler barrel to which the tube plate is fitted.
This type of engineering work is within the capabilities of NZ firms such as Dispatch & Garlic (Greymouth), Lyttelton Engineering (Christchurch), and Morrow Engineering (Christchurch). The L Class engine boiler at Shantytown required a new inner firebox and this work was done by Dispatch and Garlic.
Once the best boiler for repair has been determined, the cost of reinstating the boiler to operational condition will be identified, as will other aspects of the engine’s repair. At this point the total cost of restoration, that will include a contingency sum, will be known. The restoration stages will be identified.
A fundraising strategy will be developed and implemented to allow the majority of the work to be undertaken on a contract basis by competent engineering firms, and time framed to enable the engine in-part to be part of the 150th rail anniversary celebrations. But the motivating goal is to be at the planned Dunedin Steam Festival in October 2014.
Restoration work will proceed on a stage by stage basis, and it is likely that several restoration stages run in parallel with each other depending on funds on hand.
In terms of the operation of the engine, this may well be undertaken under the umbrella of an organisation that is currently involved in network steam operations, such as Mainline Steam, Steam Inc, Fielding & Districts Steam Rail.
Proposed Restoration Programme:
- Apply for funding to enable the spare R class boiler (R22) at Canterbury Steam Preservation Soc site at McLean’s Island Christchurch to be formally inspected and reported upon.
- On receipt of funding, organise the boiler assessment work to be undertaken by Alpine Hydraulics Ltd, Hornby, Morrow Engineering Co Ltd, Christchurch and SGS New Zealand Limited, Christchurch.
- Review boiler condition report.
- Work up indicative costs of repairing the McLean’s Island boiler and the Ferrymead boiler – determine the best boiler to repair.
- Undertake a formal assessment of the condition of the locomotive other than the boiler to determine operational requirements by a competent steam engineer, Alastair Maciver, Steam Inc, Wellington
- Update the Buller District Council as to the R28 restoration project and objective – seek an updated lease of R28 for restoration and operational purposes. Utilise modified FRONZ (Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand) lease.
- Negotiate with the Canterbury Steam Preservation Soc, the purchase of the R22 boiler.
- Negotiate with the Reefton Historic Trust Board for the use of the Reefton Railway (Steam) Engine Shed to house R28 for its restoration.
- Write the conservation plan that will guide restoration and enable funding to be sought from such agencies as Lottery World War One Commemorations, Environment & Heritage Grant Fund.
- Determine the total cost of the restoration of the engine including project management, administration and compliance costs.
- Appoint an engineering project manager.
- Start building the competent and skilled volunteer team to assist with the project.
- Develop an advocacy group, a ‘Friends of R28 Group’ to build a support base for the project and to help raise awareness, help with funding initiatives and build the competent volunteer base.
- Complete and submit a Lottery World War One Commemorations, Environment & Heritage Grant Fund application by 28th November 2012.
- Proceed with other grant applications / sponsorship support immediately post the Lottery application and into the New Year (2013) to achieve total funding for the project.
- Forward the pre-registration / restoration plan that needs to be submitted to the Heritage Technical Committee of FRONZ for approval
- Arrange for funding / sponsorship with a local heavy haulage contractor to re-locate the engine to the Reefton Railway Engine Shed for its restoration.
- Plan the strategy for the repair of the locomotive and prioritise and schedule the specific workAllow a 2 year work programme.
- Implement the 1st year repair of the boiler / engine as per the repair schedule and commensurate with resources including finance, monitor progress of the schedule, monitor the work to ensure that standards are achieved, external audit as required.
- Allow for transport to and from Christchurch by road and R 28 component (e.g. the leading bogie) for the 150th New Zealand Railway celebrations, Ferrymead October 2013.
- Implement the 2nd year repair of the engine as per the repair schedule and commensurate with resources including finance, monitor progress of the schedule, monitor the work to ensure that standards are achieved, external audit as required.
- Develop operational possibilities / operational programme for the post restoration phase, which may include showcasing the engine in other parts of the South Island, including the WestRevenue to be derived for ongoing sustainability.
- Complete the restoration / testing / compliance / certification by 30 August 2014.
- Have the locomotive completed and in operational condition and available as a feature item at the October 2014 Dunedin Steam Festival.
- Pursue sustainable operational and revenue opportunities.