Maori Hill electric tram a first for New Zealand.
courtsey of the The NZ National Library's "Papers Past" web site.
The first electric tramway in New Zealand is now in full operation between Roslyn and Maori Hill, being a portion of the extension of the Roslyn Tramway Company's lines.
The power for driving the cars is generated at the cable power house, in the Kaikorai Valley, about 50 chains from the centre of the line, by a Westinghouse four-pole compound wound generator of 75 kilowatt capacity. The switchboard is of the Westinghouse Standard railway type, and is of white marble, with main switches, circuit breaker, rheostat, ammeter, and voltmeter fixed on it. The electric current is conveyed from the generator in the Kaikorai Valley by means of a feeder wire, and is connected with the overhead trolly wire in the vicinity of the Roslyn Council Chambers. On the top of the cars is the trolly pole - a tapered steel tube 11ft long - by means of which the connection is made with the trolly wire overhead. The trolly pole has a spring at its base, which has the effect of pressing the pole towards the perpendicular, but before it can assume an upright position a pulley at the top end of it comes against the trolly wire overhead, and a firm and good contact is made. The current is thus conveyed, and acts on the motor. Under each car, supported on the axles, are two Westinghouse series-wound railway motors, capable of developing 25 horse-power each, having the end of their armature shafts a pinion which engages with a spur wheel keyed on to the axle. The current, after doing its work in the motor, is brought back by way of the rails, each joint of which is bonded in such a way as to reduce the resistance to a minimum.
The cars were built by the J. G. Brill Company, of Philadelphia, and are handsome and commodious, and will accommodate 20 passengers inside, but in addition there is a large platform at either end, upon which a further number of passengers may be carried. The cars are 14ft long in body and 25ft overall. Their width is 7ft 3in, and their height 8ft 3in (inside mesurements), and, being supported on the undertruck entirely by springs, there is a total absence of noise or jolting when the cars are in motion. On the platform at either end of the cars is a controller, and by means of a handle the motorman can regulate the speed of his car to a nicety in a very simple and effective manner, and can by means of a handle change the direction in which the car is moving, if need be. He can also almost simultaneously ring his bell and apply his brakes. The controller cannot be interfered with by meddlesome persons, for when the journey is completed the motorman removes the lever to the other platform for the return journey. On the platform are also sand boxes, the contents of which are dropped upon the lines when occasion arises. Inside the cars every comfort and convenience is met with. The inside finish is of cherry, with three-ply veneer ceiling of birch. The windows are fitted with spring roller curtains, and have drop sashes. The seats are of cherry slats, covered with Wilton carpet. The double doors at each end of the car open from the centre, the doors moving simultaueously. The gangway is 3ft 3in wide, leaving ample room for conductor or passengers to walk along, without inconveniencing those on the seats. The flooring is of corrugated wood, and a gong is placed in a convenient position for the use of those desirous of signalling their intention of alighting. The cars are well provided with light, having two three-light electroliers inside, one light under each canopy, and a head light, and the effect is most dazzling on a dark night. In fact, the cars appear to be a perfect blaze of light as they glide with swift motion past the pedestrian at night. The total weight of the cars is six and a half tons; they are capable of a speed of 20 miles an hour, and they represent an outlay to the company of £660 each. Two are at present in work, but in view of the extra traffic anticipated the Roslyn Tram Company has ordered another car, which is expected to arrive in the course of a few weeks. The mention of a speed of 20 miles an hour may seem rather startling, but of course nothing like that rate of travelling is attempted. The maximum grade on the line is one in twelve, and the cars ascend this quietly and easily at the rate, of eight miles an hour. The line was opened for traffic on the 23rd ult., and has been running successfully ever since, the average number of passengers carried per day being 1300.
The contract for the whole electrical equipment was carried out by Messrs. Noyes Bros., of Sydney and Melbourne, the Australasian representatives of the Westinghouse Electric Company, of England and America.