Model, Steam tram

Shared by Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga

Model of Thames Steam Tram. Used at Thames by Grahamstown & Tararu Tramway Co 2 Dec 1871 to 10 Nov 1874. Ran from Curtis Wharf to Tararu Point. The Steam Tram was Chaplin Type, built 1870 and withdrawn in 1874. First used at the Bay of Islands. Made in Liverpool, Makers No 1182. From Museum newsletter June 2023, Prepared By Robyn Pearce: THE STEAM TRAM OF THAMES The Thames goldfields opened in 1867, and a number of horse and gravity tramways were built to connect the gold mines with the ore-crushing batteries. These were mainly used to carry ore and firewood. e first urban, passenger carrying steam tramway in New Zealand was at the Thames. It was operated by the Grahamstown and Tararu Tramway Company and followed the coastline from the Thames to Tararu. The track was built above the high-water line and was opened on St Andrew’s Day, 30th November, 1871. However, due to the late arrival of the steam engine the formal opening did not take place until Saturday 2nd December. The elaborate tram carriage was made of polished mottled kauri panels at a cost of 166 pounds 9 shillings and 6d, and the shed to house the vehicle cost 60 pounds. The tramway ran from Curtis Wharf at the foot of Albert Street in Grahamstown north-west to Tararu. From 1872 it connected to the wharf built in deeper water at Tararu Point. (Wilson Street.) The wharf was used by large vessels for goods and passengers. The company’s line was connected with the Provincial Council’s tramways; extending up the Tararu Valley, the line also served several mines and batteries. Both passengers and freight were catered for, sometimes both being transported at the same time with ore or merchandise wagons in the rear of the passenger cars. The steam tramway served the township of the Thames, and the wharves where the steamships arrived, and departed for Auckland. Speeds were low largely due to track conditions and a leisurely pace avoided the possibility of accidents! The first locomotive used in the Thames was initially in service at the Kawakawa Coal Company. It was a Chaplin Type, Maker’s No 1182. The builder was Alexander Chaplin and Company, Cranstonhill Engine Works, Glasgow, United Kingdom. In April 1870 it was sent from the workshop to the order of G.E. Stevenson of Liverpool for export. When it was deemed unsuitable by the Kawakawa Coal Company due to insufficient power, it was purchased by the Grahamstown and Tararu Tramway Company and put into service at the Thames. Frazer and Tinné Phoenix Foundry, Auckland altered the gauge from 4 feet 8 ½ inches to fit the Tararu Company’s gauge of 3 feet 6 inches. A citizen of Thames referred to as “town crier” described his first trip on the tram to be “quite a treat, and certainly a great novelty for those on the line of route.” He did however point out “that the rails were too shallow and as a consequence the flanges caught on all the “dogs” on the track causing the tram to jerk continuously throughout the journey.” He described the locomotive as a “tin kettle” but felt this could be easily remedied. (It became known locally as “Jumping Jinny/Jenny” due to the bumpy state of the track.) In conclusion he said “he was bound to confess the scheme, so far as public convenience is concerned, is a success. Reference: Papers Past, Thames Guardian and Mining 7 December 1871. Every hour from 9am until 5pm the steam tram would puff its way from Tararu with its kauri carriage/carriages in tow. From Grahamstown it would leave on the half-hour from 9.30 am until 5.30pm. On the 31st May 1874 a heavy gale partly destroyed the Tararu Wharf, and a large section of the tramway between the goods wharf and the Marine Hotel was washed away. The Thames Star reported the closure of the tramway on 11th November 1874. This was due in part to insufficient traffic to make it pay, and the sale of the Golden Crown steamer. Steamers with a lighter draft were able to bring passengers to Grahamstown and Shortland. After closure, the line slowly deteriorated as ownership was challenged by the Thames Borough Council after the assets had been taken over by the Bank of New Zealand. The line was not removed until June 1885. A stamp was issued on the 6th March 1985 commemorating the first urban steam tram, Thames 1871.This beautiful stamp shows the original Thames steam tram with its shiny steam engine puffing out smoke as it delivers its passengers back and forth to the wharves of the Thames or to Tararu and back. What fun it must have been to ride in the tram, a step up from horse-drawn vehicles! Children apparently took great delight in trying to keep up with the small steam engine whose highest speed was approximately 6-8 miles per hour. Tararu was a much sought after destination. Many events were held there such as horse racing, sports days, and visits to the Tararu Gardens were very popular. The gardens were also a popular destination for school picnics. The Thames Star 30/12/1872 recorded that between 3,000 and 4,000 people travelled back and forth in the tram between Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and the powerful new engine made light work of four carriages and four open trucks crammed with passengers. (The second locomotive built by Fraser and Tinné was placed in service on 23rd December 1872.) Sadly, by 1879 the tram was infrequently used and was replaced by horse-drawn services. References: Ohimemuri Regional History journal 43, September 1999 www.ohinemuri.org.nz – This article combines information contained in two books by Graham Stewart, “The End of the Penny Section,” and “Fares Please,”