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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 7 (November 1, 1933)

A Railway Museum — Mr. W. W. Stewart'S Unique Collection

page 49

A Railway Museum
Mr. W. W. Stewart'S Unique Collection.

Mr. W. W. Stewart.

Mr. W. W. Stewart.

The W. W. Stewart Railway Museum, situated in Mr. Stewart's residence, No. 74, Fowlds Avenue, Sandringham, Mt. Albert, S.W.1., Auckland, is the outcome of a life interest in railways—particularly concerning steam locomotives—on the part of Mr. Stewart. The special feature of the collection is that, although not entirely so, it is largely derived from the New Zealand Railways, and it already has a considerable and unique historical value as far as that institution is concerned.

Mr. Stewart is not, and has never been, a railwayman—he is engaged in the photographic trade—but his interest and enthusiasm as far as railways are concerned could not be surpassed by any professional “man of the rails.” As a matter of fact there are few such who could equal his peculiar knowledge of New Zealand railway history, which goes back to the pioneer broad-gauge railway, which was opened from Christchurch to Ferrymead on 1st December, 1863.

It is not too much to say that the enthusiasm and initiative of Mr. Stewart have been the means of saving many interesting relics of the early railway days from going into oblivion. This especially applies to the brass “maker's”' plates and other fittings from the early locomotives—and his collecting activities have always been marked by patience, method and order.

With the aid of an interested friend a catalogue of the collection has recently been compiled, with the result that over 2,500 entries were listed up.

Mr. Stewart enjoys the confidence and interested co-operation of all the higher officials in the railway service, as well as of others, who all realise the interest and value of his collection. His home is frequently visited by officials of the service as well as by the rank and file, visitors being always assured of a hearty welcome.

Especially welcome visitors are superannuated members, and particularly, retired enginedrivers or locomotive firemen, who are invariably surprised and delighted with the interesting display which meets them. Occasionally evenings are specially arranged for small companies of the “old timers,” and the reminiscences brought forth by the various exhibits are always most interesting and frequently very humorous. The writer will not readily forget one evening spent in this fashion, when the humorous element was well to the fore.

Coming to the collection itself, the most striking feature that meets the eye is the collection of brass “makers”' plates from the earliest locomotives—as well as those of later days.

With one exception, every builder is represented, and each plate has its own specially interesting history. There are two beautifully constructed scale models of New Zealand locomotives, besides numerous “paperweight” ones from overseas.

A prominent and highly interesting section of the collection is a large collection of photographs, many of which go back to the earliest days of the service and have a considerable historical value. They include locomotives of the Canterbury broad-gauge and Invercargill standard gauge lines, and, as far as the present gauge is concerned, the collection is large and comprehensive. A special feature of this section is the original builders' photographs of the earliest locomotives.

Apart from his other activities, Mr. Stewart is a competent painter in oils, and he has executed some fine paintings of New Zealand locomotives.

The collection is arranged and set out in a methodical and orderly manner—as far as the limits of space will permit—and has been completely systematically catalogued.

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