Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

Crossing Keepers Hut Relocated

17/3/2001

The crossing keepers hut has been shifted to its new location. Foundations were laid for the hut about two weeks ago and it was then moved off the old site, which is now being cleared. The crossing keepers hut is ex NZR formerly used at Sockburn and is the only known example of this type of railway building preserved in NZ. Since arriving at Ferrymead some years ago it has been used mainly for storage of signalling equipment.

Last year a local Jaycees group began a restoration programme which is almost complete. Our society planned to relocate this building to the south end of the Moorhouse yard and to convert it into a signalbox. However it was decided late last year that as the building is probably unique in NZ it should be preserved according to its original function and it will now be located adjacent to the Moorhouse yard foot crossing and used by the crossing keeper at busy festival events.

Some restoration work is still to be completed on the hut, and attention may then shift to Moorhouse (North) signalbox which requires extensive repairs, and then to Moorhouse South where a new signalbox may be built.