Thames (NZ): Transportation - More Railway Plans & 'First Sod' Memorabilia

A quick follow-up on Railway plans and tramway posts:

Anne (blogger 'Part of the Past NZ History') has an article on:
Pioneer Railway and Tramway Survey & Construction Auckland Province , NZ 1862 - 1908

This gives background on the first railways / tramways and the Engineers and Surveyors involved.

One of those involved was James Stewart (Anne's Great Grandfather), there are many more plans online not just the ones I indicated yesterday. Just search different words such as "Thames Railway" or "Shortland Railway".

• Thames and Waikato Railway, proclamation, Grahamstown to Shortland, Jas. Stewart, scale 3 chains to 1 inch, one tracing. (R25268200) (Map below). There are others in this series: including R25268201
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• This is a very interesting plan, showing land required at the Grahamstown end of the railway. 
• Waikato and Thames Rly [Railway], showing land required for Rly [Railway] purposes along foreshore between Grahamstown and Shortland, Jas. Stewart, scale 3 chains to 1 inch, one tracing Archway Item ID:R25268288 (Part below - the shaded areas (were green on original)

Another by W H Hales, showed the changes necessary to the railway line - so that it reduced the number of valuable town properties that would be required. Title: Waikato and Thames Rly [Railway], re alteration of line through Shortland to avoid purchasing valuable town properties, through Shortland, W.H. Hales, scale 3 chains to 1 inch, one tracing. Archway Item ID:R25269609

Further information on Tramways are available at archives but not yet digitised

For example:

• Plan of Tramway and shoot 3012/71 - Tinker's Gully, Tararu - applicant City of Dunedin Gold Mining Company (R25292022)
• There are also time books and other similar information via letters. Time Book - Tramways (Moanatari, Tararu, Karaka, Waiotahi, Hape Creek, Te Popa) (R19164969)

The list of digitised goodies appears endless, go to Archives NZ and see what you can find.

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FURTHER INFO ON THE TURNING OF THE FIRST SOD.

Its been a day of special bombshells - We are lucky to have been given the opportunity to share a photograph of a very special 'tin' related to the history of transportation at Thames.

Isn't it amazing what treasures are around!  The names inscribed relate to Sir George Grey (who turned the first sod). H J Greenslade Mayor of Thames and Mr Samuel Alexander.

Photo Above right: Casket First Sod Thames Waikato Railway. photo courtesy family member

Casket First Sod Thames Waikato Railway

photo courtesy family member

This tin was presented to Mayor H J Greenslade on 21 December 1898. The special casket crafted by Mr Samuel Alexander contained a piece of the first sod. It was twenty years to the day when Sir George Grey turned the 'sod' for the Thames Railway (21 December 1878).  It was also a very special day for Mayor Henry Greenslade - who had just been installed as Mayor of Thames.

Thames Star 21 December 1898.