| Collection |
HM (unaccessioned) General |
| Date |
1907 |
| Description |
Barclay seven-ton locomotive imported from Scotland circa 1893 by William Brownlee for use in his Havelock sawmills. Over several years many such engines were imported and as they wore out or were damaged, parts from one were used to shore up another. Therefore, while this engine is purported to be a Barclay from that era, information from, 'Steel Roads on New Zealand', editored by Gordon Troop, published about 1988, states, "Loco Barclay Makers No 1130 by Andrew Barclay & Son Kilmarnock Scotland. Year built 1907, wheel arrangement 0-4-2, cylinder nos - 2, stroke 16", diameter of coupled wheels 35", boiler pressure 140 psi, last owner Lake Brunner Sawmill Co, Ruru, West Coast."
The only verifiable information known is that this locomotive definitely came from Ruru, on the West Coast and was previously owned by Brownlee & Co. of Havelock. It was moved from Ruru by Havelock Museum volunteers and trucked to Havelock around the late 1960's.
The 'saddleback' water tank over the boiler was an addition by Brownlee's workshop, and the 'Barclay' ID badge which shows on the cab in some early photographs has long since disappeared. At various times the cab length was altered on some locomotives, one was fitted with a winch, and later two locomotives were attached to each other, back-to-back, supposedly to ease return trips on the short one-way line.
Since the locomotive has been outside at the Museum it has deteriorated and has had replacement flooring, additional outside steps, patches, and a welded-on cover for the water tank. These alterations are ongoing and have been made to enable the 'train' to be climbed on in safety by children. The locomotive is re-painted black at regular intervals.
The locomotive is located on SH6 [State Highway 6], in the centre of Havelock, outside the Havelock Museum. It is available to be seen and boarded on any day, at any time.
Many articles have been written over the years about the sawmilling era in and around Havelock and Rai Valley in the late 1800's-early 1900's, and copious quantities of photographs exist.
Placed on Havelock database 1 March 2000.
|
| Object ID |
HM00.800.0001 |
| Object Name |
Locomotive |
| Other # |
HM427 |
| People |
Brownlee, William Arthur
Brownlee, John Hunter |
|
