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Ellis and Burnand Tramway, Ongarue

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Coordinates: 38°42′25″S 175°21′54″E / 38.70691°S 175.36502°E / -38.70691; 175.36502 (Ongarue Spiral)
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Ellis & Burnand Tramway
Two A & G Price locomotives on the spiral
Route
Technical
Line length37 kilometres (23 mi)
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Route map
Template:BS-map

The Ellis & Burnand Tramway was from 1922 to 1958 a 37 kilometres (23 mi) long forest railway near Ongarue in the central North Island of New Zealand with a gauge of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm).

Route

The construction of the rail track started in 1922, after J. W. Ellis and Harry Burnand had built their timber mill at Ongarue in 1914.[1][2]

The Ellis & Burnand Tramway was well engineered with a spiral, a tunnel, two great trestle bridges and very impressive cuttings. It was the longest bush tramway in New Zealand.[3]

In 1955 the tramway was closed because of flood damage, followed by the mill closure in 1966.[1]

Locomotives

Geared steam locomotives Climax, Heisler/Stearns and A & G Price were used on the tramway. The Climax operated between the mill and the Waione camp siding while the A & G Price ran from there to the bush loading points.[1][4]

Wheels Type Manufacturer Number Year Condition Owner Usage
0-4-4-0BT Climax Manufacturing Co. #1650 1924 Stored Bush Tramway Club 1924-1960[5]
0-4-4-0BT Heisler/Stearns #1082 1904 Overhaul Bush Tramway Club 1947-1966[5]
0-4-4-4-4-0T A & G Price Matilda 1912 Out of service 1923-1951[6]
0-4-4-4-4-0T A & G Price Martha 1912 Out of service 1923-1926[6]
0-4-4-0BT B Climax Manufacturing Co. #1203 1913 Stored West Coast Historical & Me-
chanical Society, Shantytown		 1953-1963[5]
0-4-4-0T E A & G Price #111 1923 Overhaul Bush Tramway Club 1944-1958[5]
4-2-0 Chevrolet Unknown

Timber trail

The right of way of the tramway is now being used as the Timber Trail, which can be used on foot or bike.[7]

  • Managers' Chevrolet jigger on a bridge over a gorge near the mill
    Managers' Chevrolet jigger on a bridge over a gorge near the mill
  • Climax locomotive hauling logs over the Mangatukutuku Viaduct
    Climax locomotive hauling logs over the Mangatukutuku Viaduct
  • Today's timber trail in the curved tunnel of the Ongarue Spiral
    Today's timber trail in the curved tunnel of the Ongarue Spiral

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Central North Island Rail Trail — New Zealand.
  2. ^ Ken Anderson: Sparse Timber Sawmillers: Ellis & Burnand Ltd Sawmillers and Timber Merchants Ongarue. Taumarunui & Districts Histori, 2012, ISBN 9780958298483.
  3. ^ Timber Trail: New Zealand Cycle Trail, Lake Taupo, North Island.
  4. ^ A & G Price Ltd., Thames. Geared Steam Locomotives.
  5. ^ a b c d David Maciulaitis: New Zealand Rolling Stock Register: Industrial Steam Locomotives Register.
  6. ^ a b New Zealand Geared Locomotives. Locomotive Owners: A & G Price Ltd., Thames.
  7. ^ Historic Ongarue Tramway and Spiral.
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38°42′25″S 175°21′54″E / 38.70691°S 175.36502°E / -38.70691; 175.36502 (Ongarue Spiral)

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