A Steam Day at Te Amorangi Museum will give people the chance to see how things work this Sunday. Photo / File
A Steam Day at Te Amorangi Museum will give people the chance to see how things work this Sunday. Photo / File
Forget iPads, Siri and remote controls, if you want to find out how things used to work head down to the Te Amorangi Museum this Sunday to see the steam engines in action.
The Steam Days are held on the second Sunday of every month.
Visitors this Sunday will beable to see an 1892 traction engine and other equipment that dates from the 1890s to the 1930s. These include a steam-driven water pump, a traction engine which is driven around the grounds, and a stationary boiler which drives up to four other engines. Museum trust chairman Allan Estcourt said these engines would fascinate visitors as the engines were open and you could see the internal goings on.
"They're a popular event," Mr Estcourt said.
"There's a significant number of people who react to the word steam, as it's an historical subject. There's a bit more activity than usual, but just about everything in the museum is of interest to all ages. We're always surprised at the interest that most children take in learning how things used to be."
Mr Estcourt has been fascinated by steam engines since he was a child when his father used to take him to a model engineering club. He started work as a design engineer in the 1960s and has since designed steam-driven equipment for industry.
As well as the steam, visitors can explore the grounds, which include the 1925 Douslin House. Model train rides are available.
