For as long as the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) has been entertaining and educating Kiwis, local tram enthusiast Alan Curtis has been a familiar face on museum grounds.
Now 77, lifetime volunteer Alan recalls what ignited a lifelong passion for the iconic museum and its tramway.
"My love for trams started as young as eight or nine. Like any young boy, I was utterly obsessed with anything on wheels,” says Alan, who earned his tram license at the tender age of 21. “It’s been my home away from home for more than six decades. I’ve watched the tramway evolve from a small track inside the museum grounds to the bustling service it is today, and it gives me such pride to know the joy I've brought to countless visitors over the years."
This year marks MOTAT's 60th anniversary, a remarkable milestone not just for the museum but also for Alan, who has been part of the team since its inception in 1964. As the celebrations unfold, Alan is channelling his enthusiasm into preserving his beloved trams, ensuring they continue to roll for generations to come.
The Adopt a Tram appeal Riding the trams is a firm favourite of the MOTAT experience and provides a free transport service in the local area. After nearly 45 years, the Western Springs Tramway requires essential upgrades to the tracks to continue operating.
Without this essential work, these iconic trams could be confined to MOTAT’s grounds, marking the end of an era for a cherished piece of Auckland's rail legacy.
To rally local support, MOTAT has launched their Adopt a Tram campaign, giving Kiwis a rare opportunity to symbolically adopt a piece of New Zealand's transport history and help keep the trams on the tracks.
There are seven heritage trams up for adoption, with donors receiving an adoption certificate for their chosen tram and name on the digital supporters' wall. Larger contributions will be acknowledged on a plaque in MOTAT's tram barn, along with a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's heritage collection, including access to rare and retired vehicles not currently on display.
Alan, who is one of 38 passionate volunteers (ranging in age from 16 to 83 years) in the Tramways Heritage team, is optimistic those who love MOTAT will do their bit to keep to the trams rolling.
“The trams are a much-loved museum experience, with Kiwis holding cherished memories of clambering aboard with family and friends,” says Alan, who remains a friendly fixture behind the controller, operating the museum's tram service on LIVE Days.
"They are rich with stories from a bygone era and it’s important to preserve this heritage not just for documentation, but for the enjoyment of all. I’ve seen firsthand the happiness these tram rides bring to young and old.”
For more details on how you can get on board and support the Adopt a Tram appeal,
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