Cable car project regathering momentum
THE cogs on the Mornington Cable Car Society’s restoration project may have slowed in the wake of the Covid19 lockdown, but members say they are still headed in the right direction.
‘‘Slowly, but surely — just like a cable car,’’ MCCS member Stuart Payne said.
The Mornington facility had to close for several months because of Covid quarantine restrictions, which meant no income.
He said the organisation was also struggling to gain funding from community trusts and lotteries for their overall goal — to rebuild a working cable car line in High St.
However, the facility was open again and things were picking up slowly as the summer progressed.
Lately, Dunedin residents had been very generous in providing cable car paraphernalia, he said.
‘‘Things like a grip car bell, a conductor’s hat, a conductor’s pouch, a ticket snipper, and a can that was used to carry change.
‘‘There’s also lots of old photographs of people who worked on the cable car network, and a painting of the cable car that used to run between St Kilda and The Exchange.
‘‘They date back to the early 1950s.
‘‘We’re absolutely thrilled with what’s been donated.’’
He said the items would be very useful in the next step of the society’s plan, which was to build a new restaurant and museum near its Mornington facility.
The restaurant and museum would help the organisation raise funds quicker for its ultimate goal of reinstating the High St cable car line.
‘‘If the money was around, we could be open in two to three years.
‘‘It’s not, but every little bit helps. We’re getting there slowly.’’