Thames (NZ): Train books with references to Thames

 Introduction

Past blog posts have covered various aspects of transportation and specifically trains at, and manufactured at the Thames. See Links at end of post.

Railway Books

Yes, there are hundreds of books on trains in New Zealand. Thames Coromandel District Libraries has a variety to select from, plus can interloan titles from libraries around New Zealand. The core ones that provide an overview of locomotive manufacture at Thames are:

• Conservation Plan for A and G Price E Type Locomotive No 110, by Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Trust 2007.
• Men of Metal, The Story of A & G Price Ltd 1868-1968, by C W Vennell. Wilson & Horton Ltd 1968.
• Prices of Thames, Locomotive and General Engineers, Thames, N.Z. by Bob Stott. Southern Press Ltd 1983.
• Steam At The Rainbow's End by K I Bullock. The Railway Enthusiasts Society (Inc) 1964.
• The Thames Branch, End of an Era, by Dave Nelson. 2014.
• The Thames Line 1898 - 1990, by R Brett Green & Trevor J Lees. Railway Enthusiasts' Society (Inc) 1990.

A selection of books at Thames Library

Its a rainy Thames day - so a great chance to browse a few of the railway books at the library! Did they have any Thames references?

• New Zealand Railway Memorabilia 150 Years, by Geoffrey B Churchman. Transpressnz.com 2015. A delightful full colour booklet that has photos, postcards, cards and general memorabilia featured. Reliving the glory days of the railway in New Zealand. The engines shown, need their identification numbers checked to verify which ones were made in Thames. Our Tararu to Grahamstown steam train is pictured, showing the commemorative stamp that was issued March 6 1985. (page 9)

          The book also has pages on the Silver Star. Who remembers the carriages parked at Thames?

 

The 'old' Silver Star carriages that had rested in A & G Price's northern storage yard, 

found new homes at the end of 2016.

• 150 Years of Rail in New Zealand, by Matt Turner. Penquin Books. Nelson in 1862 had a horse-powered tram service. Then along came Grahamstown, Thames in 1871 "To pioneer the use of steam-powered trams on a coastal line to its deepwater port at Tararu Point." (Page 38) The book is full of photographs, including A & G Price 16-wheeler geared locomotive designed for bush tramways. (page 23) Locomotives constructed and refurbished at Thames are scattered through the book, along with the iconic photo of when Prices released No 100 in 1923. Maybe you have a relative in this photo? (see below)

The Thames Star 20 November 1923, ran a full page article on A & G Price's achievements.

• Rails Across New Zealand, A History of Rail Travel by Matthew Wright. Whitcoulls 2003.The principal mention for Thames is on page 106, the A & G Price workshop is discussed, accompanied by an A-class locomotive under construction.
• Going By Train. The Complete New Zealand Railways Story by Graham Hutchins. Exisle Publishing Pty Ltd 2019. The development of the provincial rail network is covered, along with the Thames Line. The end of the book has a full list of the classes of Locomotives built in New Zealand, and identifies which models were built at A & G Price Thames.

First Hand account - the Grahamstown to Tararu Tram:

There are delightful reports on riding the tram to Tararu in the Thames Guardian and Mining Record. One of these was published 7 December 1871. The writer 'Town Crier' at first appeared critical, and was sure an accident would happen. To their surprise, the trip despite the continual jerking motion, was safely completed and "certainly a great novelty."

CHALLENGE:

Keep an eye out for books and references on Thames railway history, often overlooked in favour of Gold, Gold and more GOLD History.

1970s Thames Railway Station, Shortland end of town.

Photo by Les Downey courtesy of Motat.

Other Blog Posts related to Trains:

• A Look inside A & G Price 1906.
• Amazing Trains at The Thames 2019 - Thames Small Gauge Railway.
• Plans for Getting the Railway to Thames. And More Plans.
• Industrial transportation / tramways.
• A & G Price Shunter Contract 1956.
• Price's Ab 699 makes a comeback.
• Price's 1909 Locomotive.
• Videos featuring Thames trains.
• Prices Ab 698.
• Kauaeranga Rail Bridge/s.
• 1990 Train visit.
• WAB 796 Train painting.
• A & G Price's Locomotives overview.

Thames (NZ): A look inside A & G Price 1906

Thanks to the photography of Mr W H Bell, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum Collection, we are able to see what it was like to be working at A & G Price in 1906.

"A &G Price Thames Pattern Shop in Golden Crown Shed"

Written on verso "I'll be writing to Hill sometime within the next month about that favourite topic of his [addressed to] Mrs W. Goldie Pakatoa Is. Auckland"

Source: Bell, F. E., photographer,ca. 1906,PH-1995-18-4

 "The Firm's Latest Production"

 "Built for N.Z.R. A&G Price Thames"

Written on verso "Wishing you many happy returns of the day if I do not write again before then. F.H.B. [addressed to] Mrs W. Goldie Pakatoa Is. Auckland"

Source: Bell, F. E., photographer,ca. 1906,PH-1995-18-2

 "A &G Price Thames Erecting Shop"

Written on verso "Give my love to the family. I will send some more cards next week [addressed to] Mrs W. Goldie Pakatoa Is. Auckland"

Source: Bell, F. E., photographer,ca. 1906,PH-1995-18-6

"A &G Price Thames Machine Shop"

Written on verso "I am sending you another batch of card of my own manufacturer [addressed to] Mrs W. Goldie Pakatoa Is. Auckland"

Source: Bell, F. E., photographer,ca. 1906,PH-1995-18-5

"A &G Price Thames Cnr of Fitting Shop"

Written on verso "A corner of the fitting shop showing an oil engine in course of constructions [addressed to] Mrs W. Goldie Pakatoa Is. Auckland"

Source: Bell, F. E., photographer,ca. 1906,PH-1995-18-8

Below: a close-up from the postcard above.

Who was Mr BELL?

In the source record, the photographers name is given as F E BELL, BUT on the reverse side of the postcards it is noted as an addendum that the photographer is Mr F H Bell, and the cards are addressed to his sister Mrs W Goldie.

Mrs William Thomas Goldie, was  Rosalinda Mary Bell, the sister of FRANK HAMILTON BELL (1880-1956).

In the 1905 electoral roll, Mr Bell was a draftsman of Thames. By 1938, occupation is given as engineer. In 1954, Mr Bell is living at 181 Queen Street, Thames. He was married to Daisy May Carter.

Frank Hamilton Bell, the photographer who took the above photos worked at A & G Price and lived in the Owen / Queen Street area. Bell is interred at Totara Cemetery, Thames.

Plot 2PUBL-76-0017

Further information on Mr Bell is available in the Thames Star at Paperspast:

Involved in Steam Bus development 1931.

Thames (NZ): Amazing Trains at The Thames 2019

Trains are in my blood, paintings and sketches reminders of my father's addiction to the steam machine! So I never tire of trying to spread the word on train matters!

Have you visited the Thames Small Gauge Railway?

Trains live on at The Thames, be they somewhat a smaller scale!!!
Trains still run along the foreshore of our town and provide hours of pleasure to young and old!

So next time you are in town, stop for a look and a ride.

In the meantime, take a look at these wonderful videos hot off the press.

Special thanks to Andy / Russell for sharing these 'Videos' taken at the Thames Small Gauge Railway, at Brown Street:
https://youtu.be/Jk3zWGF9_wY  &
https://youtu.be/iXQzBEq9q7k (this last one allows 360 degree views as you can move the 'view'.

More information at the Thames Small Gauge Railway facebook site.

Thames (NZ): Transportation in the 20th Century

Previous Transportation posts:
Transportation - Getting around the Thames pre 1867
Transportation - Getting around the Thames from 1867
Transportation - Plans for getting the Railway to the Thames
Transportation - Industrial transportation on the goldfield
Transportation - More Railway plans and First Sod Memorabilia
Transportation - Moving buildings on the Goldfield

Getting around The Thames in the 20th Century

Thamesites were by the 1900s spoilt for choice regarding transport options. Here is a pictorial timeline of the changes in travel around the town of Thames.

· C1902-1904: First Cars seen at Thames Mr A H Brookes had the honour of bringing the first car Thames in February 1902.

There are accounts of early 1900s trips around the Thames area. In 1904, Mr J Adams travelled from Coromandel to Thames in 3¾ hours. A distance of 43 miles, travelling at an average of 13 miles an hour! Then in 1905, there was delight when Mr and Mrs Myers came to town in their car, after a trip to Rotorua. Their handsome car reportedly had met with much attention all along the way!

All transport options c1910s Grahamstown end of Pollen Street.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 35-R1460.

· C1903: First Motorcycle seen at Thames 

In May 1900, a motor cycle was seen in Auckland. It was described as having a speed of four to thirty miles an hour. 

There was ONE motorcycle in Thames in September 1903, the paper wondered why this improved method of transport had not caught on, in Thames. 

· 1910s: Bus services and service cars begin 

Service Car waits to collect passengers from the Wakatere at the Burke Street Wharf.

· 1920 February 17: First Airmail Service trialled 

The big day for Thames arrived on 17th February 1920, when the first airmail delivery of mail took place, by flying boat. The big event was reported in the Fielding Star 18 February 1920. “An aeroplane arrived at the Thames from Auckland carrying the first airmail received there. Later members of the Harbour Board and the pilot inspected the wharf with the view to erecting a permanent landing stage.”

George Bolt receiving mail from a Post Office Official for the first airmail flight from Auckland to Thames. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A6252.

· 1922: First Airmail Newspaper Service. An honour that Thames shared equally with Whangarei, when the first seaplane newspaper service in New Zealand took place on Friday 8th December 1922.

The First Seaplane Newspaper Service in The Dominion: Last Friday's Issue of The New Zealand Herald, containing results of the General Election, being transported by air to Whangarei and Thames at 4 am. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19221214-38-2.

· 1924: Concrete road strip down Pollen Street. The concrete not only signalled better driving but was seen as a boom for the town and signalled that better times were ahead.

1937 view of Pollen Street, showing the 'concrete strip'.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19371124-49-3.

· 1924: ‘New’ Kauaeranga Road Bridge opened, old bridge destroyed in flood 

  The destroyed 'first' Kauaeranga Bridge. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19240529-40-3

· 1928 May 11: Hauraki (Kopu) Bridge officially opened 

The new Hauraki Bridge and the old ferry system. New Zealand Herald 28 May 1928

· 1930: ‘New’ Kauaeranga Rail Bridge built 

 

1930 New Kauaeranga Rail Bridge                               1947 View of Aerodrome

· 1936: Aerodrome established at Parawai / Totara 

· 1930s: Advances in bikes.

 

· 1930s: Companies had delivery vehicles for home deliveries eg butchers and bakeries

 

Colwill's Butchery Delivery Van (left) and Gleeson's Bread Van (right).

· 1930s Ambulances

· 1939-1945: Travel restrictions / petrol rationing 

 

Thames ration book - Mrs Richard's copy

· 1940-60s: Fishing boats lined the wharf 

New Zealand Herald 21 December 1938.

· 1951: Last passenger train, except for ‘specials’

· 1964: Campbell Industries car assembly opened

· 1965: The day there was an elephant race down Pollen Street

  

· 1967 March 23: Kopu-Hikuai Road opened 

The road connection went onto have a major impact on transportation and the settlement of the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Details on the road:

Length - 17.17 miles (28.5 km), Original formation width - 27 feet (8 metres), Steepest grade - 1 in 10. Bridges - 7 with a total length of 950 feet. The longest 163 feet and the shortest 109 feet. Distances from Thames to Hikuai: Prior to the Highway - 53 miles, using the Highway - 22 miles. As the crow flies - 13 miles. Completed cost - £1,080.000.

1960s,the making of the Kopu-Hikuai Road

· 1969: A & G Price had manufactured over 239 locos 

· 1989: ‘New’ Kauaeranga Bridge & Demo old bridge 

  

Old and new Kauaeranga Bridges.

· 1990 March: Last Steam Train excursion comes to Thames

· 1991: End of Freight Train service  

· 1993: Toyota Car Factory produce 200,000th car

· 1996: Thames railway lines lifted

· 1998 October: Toyota stopped car assembly (last NZ)

· 2011 December 11: New Kopu / Hauraki Bridge opened 

Opening of the bridge. (photo from internet ?source)

· 2017 December: Thames Connector Bus Service introduced (left) and 2018 double decker buses come to Thames (right)

 

What's next? Maybe we will get our trains back!

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
• 
• 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.