Rails on Rattray Street Wharf

摘要

Graham Stewart has already covered, in great detail, all the major histories of tramways both in Dunedin and throughout New Zealand so, sure enough, he mentions in Fares Please page 120, that'The Dunedin Steam and Horse Tramway had a branch from the Monument down Rattray Street to the car barn and Rattray Street Wharf. A physical connection with New Zealand Railways at the wharf approach. Wharf tracks were used by both operators.' This is something we had to check out. In 1991 Jim Dangerfield and Ron Grant produced the book Steam and Horse Tram Working in Dunedin 1879-1905 which confirmed that a single line leading to 'the outer end of the Rattray Street Wharf'was authorised. In fact David Proudfoot, in his contract with the Dunedin City Council dated 19 July 1877, and confirmed by the following Order in Council of 13 November 1877, had the right to lay two lines of track to the extreme end of Rattray Street. This required the Dunedin to Clutha Railway to be crossed on the level intersection with Crawford Street, and provision was to be made for a physical connection between the railway and the tramway in the vicinity. The map in this book shows the tramline running to the outer end of the Rattray Street Wharf, or is it beside the Rattray Street Wharf to the outer end? The tender of David Proudfoot to construct and operate the new steam and horse powered tramway system was accepted, and once supplies of rail infrastructure came to hand early in 1879, work got under way.