The TSS Earnslaw returned to Walter Peak today, for the first time in seven weeks, sporting a freshly painted bright red funnel.
The original colour of the funnel was yellow when the Earnslaw belonged to the New Zealand Railways and in recent times it’s been painted maroon but the bright red colour it was painted in the 1960s was by far the most popular with visitors.
Whilst the repainting of the funnel is the most obvious part of her annual survey, the really important work has taken place out of sight.
This year a section of the 102-year old steamship’s hull plating and framing around the propeller was replaced as well as the high pressure piston cylinders and rings on both engines.
“When you have such an important part of New Zealand’s heritage to look after, the annual survey is a pretty major undertaking, as obviously everything has to be specially made for her,” says Real Journeys Chief Executive, Richard Lauder.
Over twenty Real Journeys staff and specialist contractors have been working on the steamship.
Preparation for the Earnslaw’s survey had been under way for the last year. Rotten hardwood on the slipway at Kelvin Heights was replaced by concrete and steel and the historic 122-year-old paddle steamer PS Antrim’s engines, (used to winch the Earnslaw up the slipway) also had some maintenance.
The TSS Earnslaw recently received a Qualmark Enviro Silver Award for the key initiatives that have been put in place to minimise its smoke and emissions.
For further information contact:
Tsehai Tiffin - Real Journeys Corporate Communications Manager
Mobile: +64 21 523 899
Email: [email protected]