SAVING THE OAMARU RAILWAY STATION I am off today — driving to - TopicsExpress

SAVING THE OAMARU RAILWAY STATION I am off today — driving to Auckland back over the next week or so — so I wont be here for the open day at the Oamaru Railway this Saturday at 11.00am. However, I was impressed by the reaction last week when I posted a photograph of the now bulldozed Ashburton Railway Station and asked if this was to be the fate of ours. There is no hiding the fact that old railway stations are difficult to find a suitable purpose for and thus the Trust has had some difficulty in finding a new and suitably owner. As I said last week, the Trust sees the station as outside its core business or area and is a reluctant owner. Its too valuable a building to be let vanish and I really feel for the people who put so much energy and time into restoring it, only to see it become neglected again. There are lots of ideas for it — some totally impractical, but all come with a shortage of money, My idea, floated again last week, would be to preserve it as an historic railway station and thus an attraction for the countless thousands of train enthusiasts who pass through Oamaru. Retain the entrance lobby and platform as a sort of railway museum but find (again) tenants for the other places, charge a minimal rent, but enough to bring in some finance to keep the place going — much as it used to be Youd dress up the platform with posters and other period stuff and with the museum lobby, youd have a place to visit. Do a deal with someone to open, close and put stuff out and away again each day. The station has been empty for months now and there is now some urgency. I think it should remain in public (Oamaru) ownership and I think a group should be formed to approach the Trust/Council to form another trust to specifically look after, maintain, preserve and promote the station. Id be willing to be involved insetting this up and getting it going if there were any other like-minded people. So, have a look this Saturday and get your thoughts together. If you think there is merit in this, send me an email at adoamarutoday@gmail and we can see what the next step could be after I get back in about 10 days time. — Allan Dick