July 2013 Bay of Islands Vintage Railway 102 Gillies Street, Kawakawa. NZ (Risking Nothing But Success ) 1 Website: www.bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz Email : matt.peers@hotmail.com Postal: P.O. Box 142, Kawakawa Ph: (09) 404-0684 Mobile: 021-171-2697 (Editor Johnson Davis Ph (09) 404-0636; email kruza@xtra.co.nz) The Mike Bradshaw Special as we say thank you and celebrate his contribution to BOI Vintage Railway over the last 30 years. A special function was held for Mike and Shirley at the Kawakawa RSA on the 27th July where the Trustees, Volunteers and friends were able to express their grateful thanks for his dedication to saving and preserving our railway heritage ( Above ) The BOI Vintage Railway Trust resolved that Mike s dedication, commitment, and involvement in rebuilding a rail service in Kawakawa and for the Bay of Islands deserved everlasting recognition and therefore have named the workshop after Mike. Mike was first involved when BOI Scenic Railway started up in August 1984. When that ceased to operate in 1985 Mike picked up the pieces and with volunteers started up Opua-Kawakawa Railway Preservation Society,; the Taumarere 120 Year Trust was set up for the infrastructure and then in the early 2000,s the two came together to form the BOI Vintage Railway Trust ( Left ) BOIVRT also decided that Mike should be given a gift he could take home so they commissioned Brenda Moir of Kerikeri to paint this very special painting for Mike. (Left) as Mike say's behind every great man is a greater woman. Here Lisa Davis presents a small thank you to Shirley from the Trustees. Not only has Shirley supported her man but for many years has been the Treasurer for the Railway throughout its many entities.. Thank You Shirley.
2 BOIVRT Chair. - Johnson Davis Trustee & MC Frank Leadley gets the show on the road Former High Commissioner - John Carter Operations Chair. - Howard Lunn The Trainspotters Daniel & Kelly Stratford and family; William, Jordan and Melissa Ops. Manager - Matt Peers Kawakawa Business Assoc Chair Richard Duley with wife Christine, son Hamish and Jean and Volunteer - Denis Hewitt Gen. Manager Dave Mowat and a most enjoyable evening was had by all. (above) L-R Robin and Jackie Harper, Opua, Roly Thorne, Kawakawa Noma Shepherd, Kawakawa Daryl Francis, Kawakawa Norma Cummings, Kawakawa, ( back to camera, ) Kevin and Geraldine Corles, Mangawhai. Thank you for all who attended and also to those that sent their best wishes
1984-2013. Mike through the Years 3 All in A Days Work. 1984 ( from the Mike Collins Collection ) (above) First of all you have to make sure the dog is ok; so its hello Jess can I go and get the engine ready?. then (centre) Must get 1211 already for the run and ( top right) time to hit the track and off to Opua. ( below) Time has moved on and the doggie is now Perro. ( left) The Dapper ( below left) The Red-Head with Francine showing a bit of leg ( below) the Bald one and (above) The worker. Yes Mike is a man of many skills and has been a true blue worker for the Railway and of course his community. Mike is a former member of the Kawakawa Lions.
4 The Mike Collins Collection (left) a younger Mike Collins Thank you Mike for sharing these wonderful photos from the past at Mike Bradshaw's retirement function. I am sure they brought back wonderful memories to you both. It s quite timely that as we take Gabriel out of service for a major overhaul we look back to a time when most of us didn t know her and certainly wouldn t recognize her. (below left) Time to hook her up ; leave Portland and take her to her new home in Kawakawa. (below right) Gabriel arrives at her new home and continues her association with the Drury purchased by Graham Winter- October 1984 and 1211 is launched in Kawakawa by the BOI Scenic Railway. (above left) The Drury and Gabriel show the way it used to be when two engines were needed for the Kawakawa Opua journey. ( above right) Gabriel and 1211 at Opua. Surely this was not a drag race to the end of the wharf???? Two of the key players in BOI Scenic Railway were (second from left) Dick McGrath and ( right) Jack Prince with former MP Richard Prebble ( second from right)
Twin Coast Cycleway The Far North District Council has commenced the Bay of Islands to Longbridge cycle link. This section is to be converted into a cycleway until such time as BOIVR are in a postion to rebuild the line for passenger services from Longbridge at Taumarere. BOIVR, under contract to the Council, are currentl;y in the process of recruiting 3 workers to work under the supervision of Mike Bradshaw. The first task is to lay 4 sleepers per rail so that a work train can be run over it for shaleing purposes. 5 ( above and below) Rintoul Civil Contractors rebuilding Bridge 12 at Whangae. When the rebuild has been completed Rintoul Civil ( under contract to the FNDC) will be able to access and clear the tunnel. ( top ) The sleepers at the station required for track reinforcement for the cycleway section. ( above) The first lot of sleepers on Longbridge waiting for the work crew. These will have to be conveyed by jigger until such time as the reinforcing of Longbridge has been completed. ( below) the first section over Longbridge showing signs of the spraying carried out by D. Doel Ken Rintoul, Mike Bradshaw and Andrew Young inspect the pier section that will require reinforcing to enable the work train to cross Longbridge
6 ( above) Welcome Aboard Bill Fenton ( Whangarei) with tutor Alan McGunnigle (Right ) Congratulations to new diesel drivers Robin Harper, Opua (left )and Trevor Bedggood, Kaikohe who get the" well done handshake from General Manager Dave Mowat. Robin has recently become a volunteer and is a driver for Perry Clark. Trevor, from the Kaikohe Pioneer Village has been a volunteer f or a number of years is a fireman and is also learning to become a steam driver. Gabriel is Out of Steam I give you the clean shave version Wife Kelly Stratford and daughter Melissa with Daniel from the Trainspotter.and speaking of Daniel Mike and Shirley enjoy a special retirement cake at the Trainspotter ( below) Yes Gabriel has been withdrawn from service for a major boiler overhaul. So regrettably there will be no steam service until further notice. We know many of our customers are true lovers of steam so all we can do is assure them that we will have Gabriel up and running again ASAP. She is expected to be out of service for at least two months... Timmie Work on Timmie is progressing well. It was hoping g to have her ready to go into service when Gabriel was taken out but unfortunately that was not to be.. Gabriel Club Subscriptions for 2013 are now well overdue so if you haven t paid your sub yet please do so before the end of the month. Your membership and support is truly appreciated but regrettably if it is not paid your membership will have to be cancelled. ( above and below) Residents from the Kerikeri Retirement Village enjoy a day out 12 th April ( photos Anne Leitch) (below) Darryl Anderson (in Cab) and his friend Chris enjoyed a ride on the 12th May. Darryl is a member of the Whangarei Steam and Model Club