After 597 days, Tāhunanui Playground’s 2.0 locomotive is due to arrive on Friday.
Well-oiled by the Nelson Host Lions Club, Waimea Menzshed, Nelson City Council, Mitre 10 Helping Hands, and a cavalcade of other contributors, an 8.5-metre-long wooden train now replaces the original concrete version which had entertained children since the early 1960s.
That train went off its rails in September 2023 after internal steel erosion posed a health and safety risk, requiring removal by NCC.
Since the upheaval, Nelson Host Lions have been determined to prevent a runaway train, and on 2 May at 1:30pm, life member of the club Peter Vining and Nelson Mayor Nick Smith will cut the ribbon and unveil the new one.
The first passengers can then board the completed project, forming new friendships like Harry Potter did on his inaugural ride on the Hogwarts Express.
Past district governor John Bilderbeck says the new train “reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, imaginative play”.
He added that more glow-ups were also planned for the playground, including shade sails over the new train area, refurbishment of the 57-year-old castle, and possible restoration of the slide.
With the closure of the playground for the installation, the opportunity was also taken to have other pieces of equipment renovated.
