Vintage tractors crank it up in Geraldine

A Crank Up Day was held in Geraldine on Saturday, providing the public with a chance to see some museum exhibits in action.

Geraldine's Vintage Car and Machinery Museum pulled out some of its prize exhibits so that the public could actually see them running for Crank Up Day.

Included was a 1920 British Wallis tractor which had been restored some 30 years ago after being found derelict at Long Beach near Ashburton.

Unfortunately the tractor wouldn't start in the morning and had to be towed out with the help of another, more modern tractor. However, once outside it came to life on first attempt.

Only around 400 Wallis tractors were ever made and less than a dozen remain, with this one being just one of two in New Zealand.

The huge array of cars, trucks, tractors and other gear means Geraldine's Museum is ranked as one of the best of its type in New Zealand.

- The South Today