The
Ellis & Burnand Tramway was from 1922 to 1958 a long
bush tramway
A bush tram and line-side log hauler owned by the Tamaki Sawmill Co., Raurimu. Photographed by Albert Percy Godber circa 1917.
In New Zealand railway terminology a bush tramway is an industrial tramway, most commonly used for logging. They ar ...
near
Ongarue in the central
North Island of New Zealand with a
gauge
Gauge ( or ) may refer to:
Measurement
* Gauge (instrument), any of a variety of measuring instruments
* Gauge (firearms)
* Wire gauge, a measure of the size of a wire
** American wire gauge, a common measure of nonferrous wire diameter, ...
of .
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.
[''Central North Island Rail Trail — New Zealand.''](_blank)
/ref>
The Ellis & Burnand Tramway was well engineered with a spiral, a tunnel, two great trestle bridges and very impressive cuttings.
In 1955 the tramway was closed because of flood damage, followed by the mill closure in 1966.
Locomotives
Geared steam locomotives Climax, Heisler/ Stearns and A & G Price
A & G Price Limited is an engineering firm and locomotive manufacturer in Thames, New Zealand founded in 1868.
History
A & G Price was established in 1868 in Princes Street, Onehunga by Alfred Price and George Price, two brothers from Stroud, ...
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.
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.''Historic Ongarue Tramway and Spiral.''
/ref>
Chevrolet railcar, Ellis and Burnand bush railway, Ongarue ATLIB 316648 (cropped).png, Managers' Chevrolet jigger on a bridge over a gorge near the mill
File:Climax locomotive hauling logs over the Mangatukutuku Viaduct, near Ongarue.jpg, Climax locomotive hauling logs over the Mangatukutuku Viaduct
Curved tunnel in the Ongarue Spiral (Amelia Willis, DOC).jpg, Today's timber trail in the curved tunnel of the Ongarue Spiral
See also
* Rail trail
References
External links