This morning first port of call was Featherston dump point. Filled the container with fresh water and got rid of the waste. Then it was off to the Fell museum.
Both David and Marilyn mentioned how good it was, and they were not wrong. Having walked the Rimutaka Incline trail yesterday it was good to read the history and know what they were on about. A 17-minute film was an eye-opener. For a start we hadn't realised that to haul the carriages up the 3-mile incline took between 4 and 6 locos and the brake carts had a big role to play in stopping the train from running away on the downhill. In fact all the brake shoes had to be changed after every trip. By the time the train had reached Cross Creek hardly any of the shoes were left.
One of the Locos
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| The braking system in the brake cart. As the brakes wore down an operator turned the wheel to keep the brakes tight against the track. |
This line was not without its disasters. These next 6 photos tell of the terrible accident due to the high winds.
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| This was the section called Siberia. It is also where the swing bridge stretches across the gorge today. |
Such a fascinating place that 2 hours went by before we knew it. After a spot of lunch in the Toy, we headed off to Ocean Beach. Took about an hour and at one point wondered if we were on the right track. Down this gravel road and hairpin ben, yep there was the beach.
Found the perfect spot away from everyone, Soon had the awning up as well as the pop top. Drinks came out, the sun shone and what a perfect place to spend the rest of the day.
And wildlife.
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