Whanganui’s most popular attraction turns 100

The Durie Hill Elevator is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

The 100th birthday celebration for Whanganui’s Durie Hill Elevator was so popular, rides had to stop temporarily today for the historic lift’s machinery to cool down.

The heritage-listed elevator was opened in 1919 after a Durie Hill property owner took up the challenge to provide an easier way for residents to access the city below.

Whanganui District Council facilities manager Peter Tantrum said the lift’s opening was a major event for Whanganui and led to sections in Durie Hill selling as the suburb developed.

“Pretty big feat what they achieved, three years and they opened it.

“It was built in the war times so there was a limit of labour,” he said.

Much of the 213 metre tunnel and 65.8 metre vertical lift shaft have remained the same, with some minor refurbishments.

In the engine room, a 34hp original motor made by Smith, Major and Stevens of London and Northhampton, that was shipped from England, powers the elevator.

When the elevator breaks down, it has to be wound up by hand.

“To get approximately one metre of lift of the car, we’re turning at least 15 cranks of the handle,” Mr Tantrum said.

The electricity is converted from alternating current to direct current by a mercury arc rectifier, one of only a few in the world used for public transport, Mr Tantrum said.

“There’s a pool of mercury in the bottom and there’s electrodes that just sit above that and there’s a vacuum in there so when they put the charge through, it vaporises some of the mercury and causes it to convert to DC current.”

The rectifier had to be installed after the lift’s direct power supply ended when Whanganui ditched trams for busses in 1950.

“Our biggest comment is it looks like something out of Doctor Who and I’d have to agree with that,” Mr Tantrum said.

Operating the lift is a family spanning four generations, the first female operator Zena Mabbot told 1 NEWS.

“It’s a legacy, just about 50 years between us all.

“The police were a bit worried about a woman being in here on her own but they got over that,” Ms Mabbot said, reflecting on the first time she filled in for her father over Christmas.

Over the years, Ms Mabbot has seen multiple fare changes and learnt how to understand the lift’s operating based on the machinery noises.

“If we hear a different noise, ‘Okay, something’s wrong.”

Ms Mabbot said the role’s also taught her to be patient with people.

The event marked the start of Whanganui’s inaugural Heritage Month.
 

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