Steam crane to rise again in collector's labour of love

Help from friends made it all happen for John McClune and his steam crane - top, from left, Jaedyn McDonough, Bradley McDonough and Ava McDonough; bottom, John McClune, Kelsie Baird-McClune holding baby Axel, Kieran McDonough, Robyn Duxfield, John Munro, and Steve Monk. Photo/Rae Cliffe

A 77-year-old steam crane finished a 300-kilometre journey from the Waikato to a Wanganui engineer's home in Papaiti last week - and there he plans to restore it to its former glory.

John McClune, 29, has wanted a steam crane from an early age - even though he isn't quite sure why.

"I played on one at the Taumarunui railroad, and I wanted one from that day on," he said.

Mr McClune collects "old bits and pieces" and was excited to add the crane to his collection.

His father had dissuaded him from buying one of his own, but this crane had been "free to a good home".

"An old boy had it," he said.

The man's wife had been tidying up loose ends and was happy to give the crane away.

Despite picking it up for free, Mr McClune has spent $10,000 so far transporting it down the country, and said he would have to save a bit longer before bringing the rest of the pieces down.

The crane was built in 1937 at the Bush Tramway on the Pukemiro Line in Huntly, Waikato. It has been used for bridge building on railway lines.

"We'll clean her all up, get it up and running, paint it ..."

Mr McClune didn't have any further plans for the crane once it was fixed, but said people were welcome to come and look at it.

He wanted to thank J&B Contracting, Watson Earthworks, Matthews Engineering, Emmetts Cranes, PTSL and Steam Machinery for helping him get the crane down to Wanganui.

"If it wasn't for their help it wouldn't have been possible."