In the header picture, A67 leads other steam locomotives at the Dunedin station centenary 2006. A67 is similar to A66 mentioned in Bill's article below. Photo -John 2006.
This page contains multiple records - scroll down to see the latest
Page Index: 1. Dunedin Gasworks Siding. 2. A66
1. Dunedin Gasworks railway siding.
This article was presented by W.J. Cowan who researched and recorded this information in 1996. Thanks to Bill for allowing us to share this information on our website.
In May 1862 the Dunedin Gas and Coke Co. was formed with a capital of £15 000. A plant was erected on Andersons Bay Road on a site used ever since for the production of gas. On 3 September 1863 the first gas lights were lit on Dunedin streets. The Gasworks were bought by the Dunedin City Council in January 1876.
To facilitate the transport of coal to its recently-acquired Gasworks the Council proposed to build a branch railway line from the Government line to the Gasworks. This short line would have extended from where the main line crossed Andersons Bay Road. At this stage it was proposed that this line would be totally independent of the Ocean Beach railway line which was being constructed along the harbour foreshore and which would be opened to the Forbury and Andersons Bay areas later in 1876. It was intended, however, to use part of the Ocean Beach railway embankment being built parallel to Andersons Bay Road.
However this particular plan was abandoned when, in August 1876, the Ocean Beach Co. offered to build a siding into the Gasworks off their line at a cost of £220, an offer that was speedily accepted. After over 110 years of service the siding was closed as from 31 March 1987 three months before the coal gas plant, NZ’s first and last, was shut down on 17 June 1987. The replacement LPG plant opened on 18 August 1987 and the railway siding was lifted in June the following year.
The siding extended for about six chains from the junction points on the Ocean Beach Railway’s ‘main line’ to the Gasworks entrance after negotiating a five chain curve. From the entrance the line continued for a further five chains into the Gaswork’s yard. Where the line crossed Andersons Bay Road it intersected, until 1955, with the DCC Tramway’s lines which extended to Tahuna and Andersons Bay.
The usual method of operation was for the NZR to place coal wagons on what was known as the ‘long siding’ adjacent to the junction points. The Gaswork’s loco would then shift these wagons into the Works, usually prior to 6 a.m. so as to avoid any conflicting movements with tram services which began about that time. A flag man was employed to control shunting operations across Andersons Bay Road. When the NZR was running shunts over the remaining section of the old Ocean Beach line, say to Tahuna show grounds, the Gaswork’s engine was locked into its own siding.
After 1923 and the opening of the Otira tunnel West Coast coal came in at a steadier rate resulting in less congestion at the Works. By 1926 it is recorded that 15 000 tons of coal were being used annually for gas production. There was a very limited amount of outwards traffic, presumably the odd load of coke.
Details of Gaswork’s locomotive power are somewhat sketchy. Prior to 1901 it is thought that NZR locomotives shunted the siding as the NZR operated the Ocean Beach line for the Company. However, in November 1901 the steam tramways’ engine Anglia was sold to the Gasworks for £21. Anglia shunted the Gasworks for three years until she was replaced by an ex-NZR A class engine no. 66. A 66 worked there until 1949 when she was retired in favour of a Ruston-Hornsby diesel shunter. A 66 then spent some years mounted outside the Settlers Museum until she was removed in the 1970s to make way for Ja 1274. The little A was then donated to the Otago Railway and Locomotive Society who then loaned it to a hotel in Princes Street, aptly named Caernarvon Station, where it formed part of a dining room complete with a railway carriage or two.
Unfortunately in the late 1980s the hotel was gutted by fire and A 66 suffered some damage. She was then transported to Middlemarch where a service club had intentions of placing her on display. It is believed she now resides at Mandeville as part of the resident railway collection though this needs to be confirmed.
The Ruston-Hornsby gave faithful service for many years until its motor failed. With no replacement parts available this shunter ended up at Kettle Park on the present Ocean Beach Railway. Here it was re-powered with a Perkins P3 diesel motor. It was finally written-off in 1987. In later years and until the coal gas plant closed a Michigan loader and a tractor fitted with a clamshell bucket performed shunting duties towing three or four wagons of coal at a time into the Works.
To facilitate the transport of coal to its recently-acquired Gasworks the Council proposed to build a branch railway line from the Government line to the Gasworks. This short line would have extended from where the main line crossed Andersons Bay Road. At this stage it was proposed that this line would be totally independent of the Ocean Beach railway line which was being constructed along the harbour foreshore and which would be opened to the Forbury and Andersons Bay areas later in 1876. It was intended, however, to use part of the Ocean Beach railway embankment being built parallel to Andersons Bay Road.
However this particular plan was abandoned when, in August 1876, the Ocean Beach Co. offered to build a siding into the Gasworks off their line at a cost of £220, an offer that was speedily accepted. After over 110 years of service the siding was closed as from 31 March 1987 three months before the coal gas plant, NZ’s first and last, was shut down on 17 June 1987. The replacement LPG plant opened on 18 August 1987 and the railway siding was lifted in June the following year.
The siding extended for about six chains from the junction points on the Ocean Beach Railway’s ‘main line’ to the Gasworks entrance after negotiating a five chain curve. From the entrance the line continued for a further five chains into the Gaswork’s yard. Where the line crossed Andersons Bay Road it intersected, until 1955, with the DCC Tramway’s lines which extended to Tahuna and Andersons Bay.
The usual method of operation was for the NZR to place coal wagons on what was known as the ‘long siding’ adjacent to the junction points. The Gaswork’s loco would then shift these wagons into the Works, usually prior to 6 a.m. so as to avoid any conflicting movements with tram services which began about that time. A flag man was employed to control shunting operations across Andersons Bay Road. When the NZR was running shunts over the remaining section of the old Ocean Beach line, say to Tahuna show grounds, the Gaswork’s engine was locked into its own siding.
After 1923 and the opening of the Otira tunnel West Coast coal came in at a steadier rate resulting in less congestion at the Works. By 1926 it is recorded that 15 000 tons of coal were being used annually for gas production. There was a very limited amount of outwards traffic, presumably the odd load of coke.
Details of Gaswork’s locomotive power are somewhat sketchy. Prior to 1901 it is thought that NZR locomotives shunted the siding as the NZR operated the Ocean Beach line for the Company. However, in November 1901 the steam tramways’ engine Anglia was sold to the Gasworks for £21. Anglia shunted the Gasworks for three years until she was replaced by an ex-NZR A class engine no. 66. A 66 worked there until 1949 when she was retired in favour of a Ruston-Hornsby diesel shunter. A 66 then spent some years mounted outside the Settlers Museum until she was removed in the 1970s to make way for Ja 1274. The little A was then donated to the Otago Railway and Locomotive Society who then loaned it to a hotel in Princes Street, aptly named Caernarvon Station, where it formed part of a dining room complete with a railway carriage or two.
Unfortunately in the late 1980s the hotel was gutted by fire and A 66 suffered some damage. She was then transported to Middlemarch where a service club had intentions of placing her on display. It is believed she now resides at Mandeville as part of the resident railway collection though this needs to be confirmed.
The Ruston-Hornsby gave faithful service for many years until its motor failed. With no replacement parts available this shunter ended up at Kettle Park on the present Ocean Beach Railway. Here it was re-powered with a Perkins P3 diesel motor. It was finally written-off in 1987. In later years and until the coal gas plant closed a Michigan loader and a tractor fitted with a clamshell bucket performed shunting duties towing three or four wagons of coal at a time into the Works.
Some plans of this siding. One is truly ancient and shows the Kerosene
Bond on the east side of Andy Bay Road. The more recent plan dates from 1974.
Addendum to Bill's article. - Ed
Legend has it that the gas workers wanted to replace the Ruston-Hornsby shunter, but management wouldn't have a bar of it. As so often happened, management did not have the control they imagined. The workers loosened off the shunter's crank shaft main bearing shells, called the chief engineer over, and started the machine. For the non-mechanical minded, worn bearings are identified by a loud knocking noise, and it is usually fatal. “Yes, she's shot” declared the engineer and the replacement machines were immediately ordered.
Later, the machine was re-powered with a Perkins motor – one wonders if, with the new owners, this re-power had been entirely necessary!
Another point to note has arisen that A66 was unique in the fact it had a lowered cab roof. The cab was modified to allow the loco to enter the coal wagon tippler at the works.
Legend has it that the gas workers wanted to replace the Ruston-Hornsby shunter, but management wouldn't have a bar of it. As so often happened, management did not have the control they imagined. The workers loosened off the shunter's crank shaft main bearing shells, called the chief engineer over, and started the machine. For the non-mechanical minded, worn bearings are identified by a loud knocking noise, and it is usually fatal. “Yes, she's shot” declared the engineer and the replacement machines were immediately ordered.
Later, the machine was re-powered with a Perkins motor – one wonders if, with the new owners, this re-power had been entirely necessary!
Another point to note has arisen that A66 was unique in the fact it had a lowered cab roof. The cab was modified to allow the loco to enter the coal wagon tippler at the works.
2. A66
A fellow industrial heritage enthusiast recently found this photo on Trade Me: the ex NZR A class locomotive once employed at the Dunedin Gasworks to shunt wagons across Andersons bay Road and also within the Gaswork’s yard. It is likely this photo was taken in the railway yards on the seaward side of Andersons Bay Road.
Ed: Special thanks to Bill Cowan for the dialog and Arthur de Maine for the picture. See previous record for additional info.
Ed: Special thanks to Bill Cowan for the dialog and Arthur de Maine for the picture. See previous record for additional info.