ELECTRIC LOCOS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19467, 14 November 1928, Page 7

ELECTRIC LOCOS.

TWO LANDED AT PORT.

A PIONEER'S RECOLLECTIONS.

The first of the three electric locomotives for the Christchurch-Lyttelton Railway was landed from the steamer Hertford at mid-day yesterday. The lift was 50 tons and was made by the Harbour Board's crane ship Rapaki, which carried the .engine from the ship

across to No 7 wharf.' Some hours of preparation were necessary before the lift was made, but once the engine had been lifted clear of the steamer, it was the work of a few minutes for the Rapaki to steam across to the other wharf with her weighty load swinging high in the air, and to deposit it on the rails. The engine was landed complete, even to the windows, with the exception of the overhead gear and the draw-bars.

The second engine was landed during the afternoon and the third will be landed this morning. An. interested spectator at the landing, was Mrs A. Williams, of Dublin street, Lyttelton, who remembers seeing the first steam locomotive landed for the same line. The engine was brought from Melbourne by tlie sailing . ship Sarah, owned by Mrs Williams's father and his partner, Messrs Johnston and Blackwood. After the vessel's arrival at Lyttelton her masts were unshipped and she was towed around, over, the Sumner Bar, by the s.s. Gazelle, to Heathcote, and the first steam locomotive was landed at Ferrymead. That was in January, 1863, according to Mrs Williams. She was /then a child of eight and a friend held her up and told her that her father had landed the first locomotive in New Zealand. Later ,in the year the second locomotive was landed at Ferrymead from the same vessel. On this /.occasion the Sarah was in tow of the s.s. Mullogh. When they first attempted Ihe bar the sea was much heavier than expected and the two vessels were nearly stranded in the .breakers. They put to sea again, and sheltered in Port Levy for the night. Next day, the sea having abated, they made a «ife crossing. Mrs Williams states that she had a complimentary trip on the first passenger train to-run on'the line, and wonders if a similar courtesy will be extended to her- on the occasion of the running of the first electric train. The driver of the first train was named Beverley, and the guard's name was Penfold.