With 100 candles to blow out, Pleasant Point’s steam locomotive Ab699 puffed its way through the weekend.
The locomotive was one of 20 built in 1922, but it is the only one remaining — the other 19 were eventually cut up for scrap.
It travelled more than 1 million miles before retiring to its new role as one of the main attractions at the Pleasant Point Museum and Railway.
President Bryan Blanchard said it was a busy weekend with 1300 people coming through on the Sunday.
He said people attended the event from as far afield as Wellington and Invercargill.
‘‘There were people everywhere.’’ With bouncy castles and vehicles — from vintage farm tractors to a Scorpion tank — being exhibited, there was a lot to see and do.
There were ‘‘just so many kids’’.
The farmers market was also very popular.
However, some train rides were boarded by outlaws and passengers were ‘‘robbed’’ — all in good fun.
Mr Blanchard said the outlaws were members of the Pleasant Point’s scout group, and all stolen money was for donations.
‘‘They were so excited, even though they were train robbers.’’
Pleasant Point scouts group leader Katrina Spencer said scouts had learned that ‘‘robbing a train pays’’ after they made off with $395.50, two tickets, an old 5›cent piece, a button and a watch.
Miss Spencer said the scouts had been contacted by the railway society months earlier. ‘‘They kindly asked us if we wanted to do it’’. She said the society let the scouts keep all the donations. Mr Blanchard said the Thames firm that built the locomotive — A & G Price — sent two representatives to the dinner held on the Saturday night. The representatives were allowed to have a go on the train. ‘‘The two guys were like kids driving it.’’ He and his wife Marian were both recognised on the night for their contribution towards the railway, Mr Blanchard with a plaque and his wife with a large bunch of flowers.
‘‘I think we were both a bit embarrassed.’’
The locomotive was bought at scrap value for restoration in early 1970. However it has now become a significant South Canterbury attraction.
