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NEW ZEALAND’S ORIGINAL STEAM HERITAGE ATTRACTION |
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PAGE 2 |
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Traction engines, locomotives, steam-powered oddities and rare mechanical insights into our treasured past—all of that and more is housed here in our regularly-updated Steam Archive. |
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Here’s another of our archival photographs. It shows a further way in which traction engines were used for heavy haulage. Loads would vary enormously in weight and variety. Even today’s trucks would be put to the test to carry such weights and of course the various roads boards would not be too happy either. Despite loads such as this, mileage’s would still be great and transportation could take days rather than hours between depot and site. The load on the trailer consists of large pipes departing Coalgate Railway Station for use at the Lake Coleridge power scheme. The Lake site was a very early scheme and all of the equipment was transported by traction engine. On the 75th Anniversary of completed construction a group of present day traction engine owners, driving along in at least one of the original engines, did a rerun to celebrate.
Pictured is one of the engines in our newly finished Museum extension. Although the engines located here are not stationary steam engines, they nonetheless form an interesting part of our history. These are power station type engines but the odd one is steam driven. Shown in the photo close-up is the Mirrlees vertical 8 cylinder diesel engine which provides 360hp at 500rpm. The engine and generator were one of a pair set up for power generation at the Himitangi Radio Station which was then part of the P&T(Post and Telegraph) which was later to become Telecom. The pair’s purpose was to provide power to the station in case of a power failure on the national grid. If needed, power could be provided within three minutes. Compressed air was used for a start-up speed of 300lbs psi. The same two engines were also once used in submarines. They were to be found in Fiji when W.W.II broke out. Later, the engines were completely overhauled. Tokomaru Steam has the No 2 engine. More work is required to it before any running can occur although the switch boards are in place awaiting cable connection. We acquired this engine from the Himitangi area approximately 10 years ago.
Visitors to the Museum, or to any collection of vintage machinery for that matter, cannot help but admire the gleaming paint-work and tip-top mechanical condition of collected machinery. It is sometimes difficult to visualize the often terrible condition things were in before being restored to as-new condition. Such was the case with the Fowler Locomotive (pictured here). Before arriving at the Museum the ex-Napier Harbour Board shunting engine had lain unused on a breakwater for five years completely unprotected from the ravages of salt spray and winds. Even while in working condition it was still washed over by the occasional wave, with the water getting into areas of the engine and the boiler, which itself never completely dried out. Consequently every part of the locomotive was showing signs of corrosion. This deterioration was particularly important in regard to the boiler because it remains the key item on any steam engine and must be able to operate safely at a given steam pressure. Later, once the Fowler was brought to the Museum from Napier, it was completely dismantled, the cab removed, boiler lifted off, the chassis lifted off, and the wheels and motion work dismantled. 
This Steam Ploughing Engine, illustrated at right, was first exhibited on July 1st, 1879 by Messrs Everitt, Adams & Co of Ryburgh Norfolk at the Royal Agricultural Society's show, Kilburn, England. Named Universal by its makers, the Engine has among its special features an intended use for steam ploughing, traction or haulage. The ploughing procedure used is known as the direct or double engine system. The one drum mounted on the side of the boiler is direct driven from the crankshaft. Rope is situated under the tank at right angles to the engine and attached to the plough or cultivator. Notes and featured illustration are from a book simply titled Engineering which was first published Sept 12, 1879.