Rail vehicle shed

Some of the team working on the rail vehicle shed

The rail vehicle shed at Maymorn has been one of the primary projects for the Trust over the last few years. A huge amount of design work, engineering consultation, planning and project management has gone into the structure. The vast majority of the foundation work, component fabrication and final construction has been undertaken by volunteers working in their spare time. The decision to replicate an original 1911 New Zealand Railways 2-road engine shed design has paid dividends in that the Maymorn station has a real railway depot “feel” about it. The building will also complement future heritage railway operations.

Recent posts

Barge boards fitted to Upper Hutt end of workshop

Workshop build progress

A huge effort put into the workshop over the weekend of 4-5 October, all four barge boards lifted up, flashings fitted and soffit installed at the Upper Hutt end. We're very close to completing the roof - which will be a most welcomed milestone in this project.

The weather was patchy at best, but thankfully not as bad as was forecast, and we got a huge amount of work done. Thanks to all who helped out!

We're now able to clad the Upper Hutt end wall - the ColorSteel sheets on site ready to install.

workshop structure with all roof installed and south wall clad

Funding boost for workshop project

We are delighted with the recent round of funding support, which adds to that previously received from Rimutaka Trust, Pelorus Trust, Rotary Club of Upper Hutt, Upper Hutt Summer Carnival, The Lion Foundation and Trust members.

last portal lifted into place for workshop

Last workshop portal frame is up

On Saturday 28 September, after a couple of months of work and fundraising, we finally lifted the last portal into place for the workshop.

The previous week we fitted the train door legs to the portal frame, having already fabricated the door lintel and dropper from the apex - and a good number of girts. The preparation on the ground was well worth it, reducing the need for slow and expensive work at height later on.

John, Bruce and Colin positioning rails onto road 1 pit

Work in progress 14 September 2013

Lots of progress to report from Saturday 14 September 2013, a brilliantly fine Spring day as it turned out.

We're on track to lifting the last workshop portal frame at the end of September, most of the purlins, girts and braces prepared, and those that can be fitted before lifting have been. Preparations are also in hand for fitting barge boards, angles being fabricated and fitted to the purlins ahead of time. Anything that can be done on the ground is a savings!

Workshop frame alongside the rail vehicle shed

Workshop build advances

Another milestone was reached on Friday 2 August with a third portal frame lifted into position for our workshop extension. Two portal frames arrived by truck, fresh from blasting and priming at Steam and Sand Porirua, and welding at MJH Engineering. Fabrication of the steel beams and components had earlier been completed by trust members.

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