1) Ohakune c.1978-1979
Contents
Cranes in NZR Service
Can You Help?
Do you have any rail-crane related pictures you would be willing to share? If so, please contact: Phillip Treweek
Gallery - Cowans Sheldon 10 Ton lift Steam Crane No.226 (ELS 1015)
This page contains links to some pictures from my collection of cranes in action and preservation. If you have pictures of NZR cranes, I'd love to hear about them - or better still - see them. Please feel free to contact me at treweek@ cs.waikato.ac nz. Clicking on any picture will open a larger image in a new window. If you can't see the new window, check that its not behind your current browser.
Pictures during NZR Service
Picture 1 courtesy of Ian Mitchell, 2-4 courtesy of Tony Hurst,
1) Ohakune c.1978-1979
2) Matapuna Bridge near Taumarunui c.1968
3) Matapuna Bridge near Taumarunui c.1968)
4) Matapuna Bridge near Taumarunui c.1968)
The following images come from my late Father's collection - and in part are responsible for the project this site represents.
The first six photos are from the day Ted Treweek derailed '226'. The incident occured at Toi Toi, about 4-5 miles on the Taumarunui side of Ohura going toward Niho Niho. The crane was engaged in lifting new rail sets for a bridge. Ted had not worried about placing the outriggers as he regularly lifted rail sets without them. Unfortunately he had overlooked the fact that the sleepers on the bridge sets were heavier and more numerous than the regular sets. As he started to swing a set around the crane began to roll. He dropped the set but was too slow on the rope brake. When the set hit the ground it resulted in too much slack and the jib unloaded so the crane went over backwards. Ted successfully dived out the cab door on the high side, but landed on a rail resulting in a huge bruise on his hip - but he acknowledged it could have been far worse. Fortunately one set of flanges was still in the rail so recovery was made with the assistance of a farmer with a bulldozer who winched the crane back. A locomotive engineer had to be called out to inspect the bearings (which were okay). Ted was still being paid overtime, and was only fined £5 for his mishap.
1) Toi Toi c.1960
2) Toi Toi c.1960
3) Toi Toi c.1960
4) Toi Toi c.1960
5) Crane Driver Ted Treweek, Toi Toi c.1960
6) Toi Toi c.1960
7) East Town yard c.1960-62 lifting a water tank with No.254 (at left)
8) East Town yard c.1960-62 lifting a water tank with No.254 (at left)
9) East Town yard c.1960-62 lifting a water tank with No.254 (at left)
10) Loading a track tamping machine at Ingelwood. c.1960-62 
11) Loading a track tamping machine at Ingelwood. c.1960-62
12) Loading a track tamping machine at Ingelwood. c.1960-62
13) Loading bridge beams at New Plymouth. c.1960-62. (Te Henui bridge reconstruction?)
14) Loading bridge beams at New Plymouth. c.1960-62. (Te Henui bridge reconstruction?)
15) Loading bridge beams at New Plymouth. c.1960-62. (Te Henui bridge reconstruction?)
16) A chilly day somehere in the central North Island (presumably Ohakune).
17) The work train at Karioi bank (N.I.M.T.) picking up rail sets.
18) Another view at Karioi bank (N.I.M.T.) picking up rail sets.
19) Pictures 19-21 show a water tank being lifted. (Date unknown - circa 1960-62).
20) The yard is not identified. Picture 21 has a distinctive water tower in the background.
21) Please let me know if you can name the location.
22) Pile driving in progress south of Rata, on the N.I.M.T.
23) Pile driving in progress south of Rata, on the N.I.M.T.
24) Pile driving on Bridge 81 on the SOL between Matiere and Tuhua.
25) Pile driving on Bridge 81 on the SOL between Matiere and Tuhua.
26) Pile driving on Bridge 81 on the SOL between Matiere and Tuhua.
Pictures from post-NZR service
Courtesy of Andrew Hamblyn)
1) In storage at Taumarunui with No.227 (ELS 1030). Date unknown.