From left, Kevin Stanger, Jay Hutchinson (relocations
supervisor for the Otago Settlers Museum), forklift driver
Iain McLellan, and Mike Knopp help shift the former
Maryhill cable car in to off-site storage in Dunedin on
Saturday. Photo by Linda Robertson.
The former Maryhill cable car was moved from the Otago
Settlers Museum into off-site storage at the weekend, as the
second stage of the museum's redevelopment project gathers
pace.
Bronwyn Simes, the museum project development manager, said
she was pleased the cable car shift had gone smoothly, with
high levels of skill shown in moving the car on and off a
truck by forklift.
The cable car was constructed in 1906 and it was initially
used on the Elgin Rd cable car extension.
When this line closed in 1910, the cable tram was transferred
to the Maryhill line, servicing the area until 1955.
The museum redevelopment's first stage - the construction of
a climate-controlled storage building - was completed last
year.
The redevelopment's second stage involves the former NZR bus
station and garage, with the roof being replaced at the
garage.
Ms Simes said that much of the earlier redevelopment work had
gone on behind the scenes, and moving the cable car was one
of the first signs for the public that the redevelopment was
entering a new phase.
The museum's transport gallery has closed to the public from
today and redevelopment work at the bus station will continue
for much of this year.
The redevelopment's third stage, involving the museum's
original brick Burnside building, will begin late this year.
Key museum services will continue to be offered at the bus
station ticket hall area throughout next year and 2012, when
most of the museum will be closed to the public.
john.gibb@odt.co.nz
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