Labour Weekend 2010 at the KPR
The Sun God looked down and decided that we deserved a fine weekend and made it so.
The weather could not have been better and the thirty plus who registered, together with their partners and families, and supported by the local Club members took full advantage of it. With twenty-one steam locos and a varied selection of petrol and electrics there was more than enough trains to satisfy the huge public demand for rides.
Eight Clubs from around the North Island were represented and our old friend 'Mark the Aussie' was with us from Melbourne. With a common interest, good hearted banter and renewal of friendships it was like a family gathering. Of course, no family gathering is complete without a tipple or two and more food than you can shake a stick at and ours was no exception. Once again Val Blackburn and her crew produced an endless supply of food from breakfast, through the day, to the evening meal and all of it was 'finger licking good'.
Paul Newton brought the first of a new design 'Duplex' boiler which is undergoing a testing programme prior to the draft code for boilers made from this material being approved and gazetted. The boiler is made from a high tensile strength steel and whilst it is commonly referred to as 'stainless steel' it is actually closer to 'monel metal' than stainless. Whatever one wants to call it, it means that the thickness of the material is greatly reduced which results in a much faster heat transfer and consequently a much shorter steam up and recovery time. The general consensus was that it 'Steamed like a witch'.
Ultimately the sun went down on the last day, goodbyes were said and we parted company secure in the knowledge that we had all had a great weekend and that we would do it all again next Easter.
Here's some of our favourite photos from the weekend.
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