Photo: Cr Brendan Duffy and Over The Top Decorators Ltd manager Terry McIlwee with the train. Photo: Celia Williams
Accompanying article:
TOY TRAIN BACK ON RAILS
BY CELIA WILLIAMS
Levin businessmen think they're on the right track trying to restore an old iconic toy train to attract visitors to Levin's Adventure Park.
Cr Brendan Duffy and others involved aim to repair and do up the train which was built over 30 years ago by Ken Douglas for the Levin Lions Club.
The train was initially set up at the Horowhenua Lake Domain and was later loaned to Kimberley Centre but with the centre closing Cr Duffy has "renegotiated its return on behalf of the Levin Lions Club to be re-established at the Levin Adventure Park", he said.
Over The Top Decorators will clean, sand and paint the four carriages for free with paint donated by Dulux and other materials donated by Placemakers.
Kaye Signs will paint cartoon graphics on the side of the train for free, Peter Jacob from P.N. Jacob Heavy Haulage is reconditioning the petrol engine for free and Cr Duffy is trying to raise $15,000 for the railway tracks and sleepers.
Cr Duffy said this had been a project he had been working on for over a year.
"It's great we have got people in the community to assist with the refurbishment so that we can re-establish it. "I'm sure there's enough enthusiasm in the community so we can get it established. I'm sure in a couple of months I'll have the money."
The train is expected to be up and running by Christmas, Cr Duffy said.