Off to NZ soon and have no fixed itinerary but I was reminded today about museums there. IIRC Marty worked at a museum there. Anyone know where? He always amazed me with his projects and his talents with an angle grinder. There didn?t seem to be anything he wouldn?t tackle. Be good to look him ( or his museum) up whilst we?re there.
Tim
Yes, I remember him. He posted as MattyF or Matty F. His most recent post seems to have been in July 2014. He may just have stopped posting - or it may have been enforced by events!
ISTR that he was into heavy engineering, including making forgings for parts of trams. If he *was* at a museum, it would probably have been a tram museum. There are quite a lot to choose from. Most of the major cities had trams at some time or other - some still do, I think - and quite a few have tram museums. I don't quite know where I'd start!
Fairy sure it was tram-related, MOTAT in Auckland? Do I remember correctly that he was unwell at some point?
That seems to be it
Cheers. I thought it might be Wellington. I?ll drop MOTAT a line and see if he?s still working there.
Tim
Thanks. Good find.
Tim
Nope.
Those links don?t work.
Sorry doesn?t work in Chrome but does in PaleMoon.
Works in chrome and firefox for me, doesn't appear to require a login to GG, but some searches do require a login.
Like other places, they got rid of them but some towns are now rethinking the loss again. Its funny how things run in circles. However the future seems to be autonomous vehicles that follow set routes with no rails, so maybe that will be the successor. Brian
In message snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net>, Tim+ snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes
Tim, do keep us advised. I too remember Matty's posts, and the trams for which he fabricated parts. Fascinating stuff.
I?ve had a reply from MOTAT already but they didn?t recognise the name as an employee. I?ve written back pointing out that I he was a volunteer rather than an employee in the hope that they might keep different records for them. Of course ?Matty? might not be his real name so that might make things harder.
I would have thought though that someone would remember the guy who fabricated a whole tram speed controller from scratch (one of his many projects that stick in my mind).
I?ve had a search through Usenet archives but all his photo links have expired which is a shame.
Even if I can?t track him down I?ll definitely be visiting the museum.
Tim
You mentioned Wellington and there is a tram museum there ,looking at their website they do seem to do a lot of hands on restoration of the type he was known for .
Link.
GH
Museums may be a bit of a disappointment.
I remember visiting one in Russell, Bay of Islands, and realising the exhibits were very similar to the stuff from my parents we still had in the loft. Beautiful spot, though.
Recent (last 100 years or so) could be more promising.
Cheers
Dave R
Bloody big loft if it had a tram in it .
GH
replying to Tim+, MattyF wrote: Hi all. Tinypic have deleted all their pictures, and I can't get into Google Groups now. I'll see you in a couple of hours!
replying to Tim+, MattyF wrote: I am having a lot of trouble with the software on this site. It thinks I am clicking Reply twice when I am not. I may see you in a couple of hours.
replying to Tim+, MattyF wrote: There's no sign of Tim at MOTAT so I am going home.
Hi Matty,
Britz were having a major meltdown this morning when we went to collect the van so we're not going to make it today (4th Nov). We will be in tomorrow though but no idea if this suit you.
Can you drop me a line on snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk?
Tim
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required