Flugel Courtesy Dave Hansen

One aspect of the Ferrymead Historic Park and the Canterbury Railway Society in particular, is the telephone communications. Like everything else, this is the work of volunteer labour. As the Park grows, so does the need for more communications. Done in the old style, (no cell phones here!) with largely above ground wiring, the communications network is very extensive for a community of the size. Dave Hansen works for the full size outfit and together with a number of others, maintains and extends the network. Recently, they were doing an upgrade and Rachel was wiring the signals and Dave had his camera with him. Knowing my situation, he forwarded some of the results this way. My thanks indeed to Dave for his consideration and I am pleased to be able to share some of this otherwise unseen and unsung work....................................

Coming to grips with the outer home signal.

Dave worked on this pole on the day. Note the two new crossbars at the bottom. The CRS uses a 1/4 of the wires here. The poles are a part of the old Heathcote draw bridge.  Once the bridge that carried all the traffic including the trams, over the river between the city and Sumner Redcliffs areas. In the earliest days, a ferry plied its trade, where this bridge later stood. Hence the name Ferrymead or ferry on the mead.

At the new level crossing. Lisa Rachel and Phil Rowan.

A better yet view of the very tidy old lines truck.

Ever wondered what was in the small shed by the signal box? The jigger collection resides therein.

Last Sunday............

Dave took this as they were setting up to run the electric Sunday passenger service. Once the overhead loop wires are in place, the need for two locomotives will cease and such pictures will be history. Dave and Joe (Pickering) ran the service and whoever was not driving had the novel experience of riding behind the engines they usually drive. Even standing on the platform watching the arrivals and departures was a new and rewarding experience for them both. Tr156 is simply being used to bring out the carriage stock from the non electrified carriage shed.

Look at that, we have room for a little more.

Let's see three pictures from Pete Soundy................

Also from the electric running day. The 'push-me-pull-you' setup at Moorhouse station. A scheme that is working very well.

Alison was doing her thing for international relations and taking pictures for tourists from Japan.

There we will leave it for this week. Again, my greatest thanks to those who have contributed pictures, allowing the weekly news to continue at this time. Without this help, there would be no Flugel. I was at the coalface in the latter part of the afternoon and was heartened by the appreciative response to the modified format of this news sheet. Suffice to say, if anyone cares to contribute at any time, I'll be pleased to use suitable material for all to see. Makes a really pleasant change from the coal dust and soot at the face of the pit.

With cheers and appreciative thanks,  'K'.