The Moving of CLIMAX STEAM ENGINE 1317 in (ACB) 3-D. Try (ACB) 3-D Viewers |
Climax Engine 1317 the day prior to its removal Climax 1317 was one of several steam engines used by Smyth Bros and Boyer Ltd to haul logs along bush tramways for timber mills in the central North Island of New Zealand at Arohena till 1946 and then in Ngaroma till 1954. Archie McMillan was one of it's drivers. The firm had bought Climax 1317 from Carter Timber who had taken over the Egmont Box Company. It was gifted to the town of Te Awamutu in the late 1950’s by Smyth Bros and Boyer Ltd. Hybie Smyth offered it to Bob Vaile of the Te Awamutu J'C's. It was later moved to the Memorial Park in aprox' 1960. |
Former J'C' members Bob Vaile and Phil Ward with Joe Tolich, who was one of the moving crew from 1960, were present to see Te Awamutu Lions move the engine from its home of 44 years. |
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The move out of the Memorial park required the track along the Mangaohoi stream to be widened and gravel laid and an access was cut through to Christie Ave'. With the engine supported by a crane driven by Len Gray, the engines wheel assembly was pulled out using a digger. Then the engine was then lifted and loaded onto wood blocks on a flatbed truck. It travelled via Christie Avenue, Ohaupo Road, Racecourse Road, Tawhiao street, Alexandra Street and Paterangi Road to the Council depot in Daphne Street. The engine was then lowered onto wood blocks. Rails under the blocks were rolled over steel pipes in order to move the engine into the depot shed with a push from a loader driven by Jeff Bowers. |
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Marc Dawson of Studio 555, who grew up with the engine over his family’s back fence, was present to record the move in 3-D on film and video. Ken Williamson, who had recently made detailed engineering drawings of the engine to assist his building a working scale model, was available with advice for its safe handling during the move. He was encouraged to find that the engines pistons and valves were clean and intact when the head covers were removed at the depot. "They appear to be serviceable without a great deal of trouble and the cast iron components are intact. However, the engine is generally in poor condition. The framework needs to be completely replaced and the axles and gears need a lot of work." Mr Williamson said. "The boiler may possibly be repaired for steaming, but converting the engine to run on compressed air should be considered." |
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A Climax 1317 trust has been formed from Te Awamutu Lions members and interested public in order to raise funds for restoration work. The goal is to promote restoration of the engine. Plans for replacement parts have been drawn by Ken Williamson. The engine is a valuable asset for Te Awamutu. Te Awamutu Lions would welcome anyone with support or assistance for the project to contact Mr Easton at 871 5576. |
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