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Christchurch’s flat and open spaces have always made it an ideal city to adopt and maximise the use of light rail. While city councils around the country grapple with how to move lots of people as quickly as possible, and are attracted by the many benefits of light rail, Heathcote's very own Ferrymead Heritage Park already has it own heritage light rail system operating!
The activities of the Ferrymead Two Foot Railway and the Tramway Historical Society will be celebrated at the park on Sunday 1 March with a Light Rail Fun Day.
From non-PC playground to valued light railway!
In the late 1980s, various remnants of the two-foot railway from the Lake Grasmere salt works, were languishing at the Park. Painted gaudy colours, and very rusty underneath, the two Planet locomotives, salt tubs, salt tub chassis and a small metal coal tub, were set up for children to play on. Scrap merchants were called in to assess and clear away the items.
The imminent disappearance of the items was enough to excite the interest of a few people who then formed a group, the Ferrymead Two Foot Railway Society, to save them. More items were collected in the 1990s, including chassis, mine prop wagons, and the largest piece of rolling stock – a Fijian bogie passenger car. The first Planet locomotive was restored to running condition.
With the financial assistance of the Skjellerup family, who had established the salt works, the railway developed further in the 2000s with a workshop, storage areas and track work. The bodywork of the first locomotive was completed and she was named “Winifred” after George Skjellerup’s youngest daughter. An operating licence was obtained for the railway and it was opened in October 2007 by Margery Rudkin, also a Skjellerup daughter.
The fruits of this dedication and labour can now be enjoyed by visitors riding on this fun, funky and bumpy railway at the Park. The Two Foot train will operate all day on Sunday 1 March with free rides for Park visitors.
George Wealleans, Secretary of the Ferrymead Two Foot Railway Society, said “It’s marvellous to see the two-foot railway bringing so much pleasure to Park visitors. With projects like these, the restoration work never stops. Fortunately, we have some keen youngsters involved with the Society but we are always on the lookout for new members.”
 Celebrating trams and buses
Restoration work has also long been a strength of the Tramway Historical Society based at Ferrymead Heritage Park. Proudly at the head of society’s fabulous collection of vehicles is the 1881 Kitson steam tram, the only one of its kind in the world still running. The Kitson will be operating on Sunday 1 March along with electric trams and trolley and diesel buses.
Most society members will be on duty to talk with visitors, who will be invited to try their hand at driving an electric tram within the Park, or a trolley bus on a special 50-metre line near the tram barn. Visitors will be able to see the restoration work being done on electric tram #26, the only surviving Christchurch double-decker tram.
Graeme Belworthy, President of the Tramway Historical Society, said “It has taken over 40 years to build up the remarkable pool of skills and equipment we now draw on for our major restoration work. When I look around the tram barns at the amount of work to be done, it’s quite daunting. Then I look at all the restored trams that we are operating at the Park and know that, with the dedication of our members, the achievements will keep flowing.”
Light Rail Fun Day at Ferrymead Heritage Park, at Sunday 1 March, 2009, from 10am to 4.30pm. Steam and electric trams and Two Foot gauge railway running all day; rides included in entry cost. Entry: $15 adult, $5 child, $12 senior/concession, pre-school free, $35 family pass (2 adults and up to 4 children), $70 Annual Family Pass.
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