Maximum gradient was 1 in 40 (25‰), with the rails being 40lb/yard (20kg/m).
(meta data) TITLE: Ohinemuri - HP Barry, description of tramway (meta data) AUTHOR: Mangatoetoe Ohinemuri Exploring our historic and natural heritage literature Toggle Navigation ### HRT Heritage Image "Waikino", built 1905. Stubbs Collection. ##### Tramway to Victoria Battery - The Rake "Waikino", built 1905. ### Contents Historical Summary Time Line Site Interpretation Location Map Photographs – Present Day Photographs – Historic HP Barry, description of tramway Annual Reports of the Directors, Waihi Gold Mining Company The New Zealand Railway Observer Extracts from Mines Statements ### Research Articles #### Royal Standard Mine #### Coal Mines #### Waihi Street Names #### Waihi Gladstone Gold-mining Company Battery #### Waihi Municipal Water Supply Dams #### Heritage on the Hauraki Rail Trail Cycleway ##### Waihi Dredging Plant ##### Low Level Water Race - Victoria Battery ##### Tramway to Victoria Battery ##### Cyclists and Walkers #### Waihi Mill Stream Heritage #### Isdale on Owharoa #### Silverton Battery Site #### Water-Power Dams #### Samuel and Ellen Chalton, Netherton Heritage on the HRT Cycleway Tramway to Victoria Battery HP Barry, description of tramway ## HP Barry, description of tramway ##### Tramway to Victoria Battery - The Rake (HP Barry: Waihi Gold Mining Company's Superintendent from 1891 to 1915 (McAra, p 146)) From: Papers and Reports Relating to Minerals and Mining, 1897 Pages 85 to 97 The company is erecting a new mill at Waikino, Owharoa, a description of which is given in the following extract from Mr. H. P. Barry's general report: The length of the tramway from mine to Owharoa Mills is, approximately, five miles and three-quarters. It has been constructed of a gauge of 2 ft. 9 in., the smallest curve having a 6-chain radius. It has been well graded throughout, being, with only one exception (which has an up-grade of 1 ft. in 90 ft.), all down-hill with a load, the steepest grade being 1 ft. in 40ft. The line crosses from the north to the south bank of the Ohinemuri River, at a distance of two miles and three-quarters from the mine, by means of a strong truss bridge, upwards of 185ft. in length, and 30ft. 6 in. high from water-level to decking, and built of good sound heart of kauri and totara [The "Black Bridge" by the Dredging site - E]. The whole of the formation of this tramway has been completed, and upwards of three miles laid with heart of kauri sleepers and 40 lb. iron rails. All the culverts have been made with glazed earthenware pipes, which will be more durable than wooden culverts; and all the swamps which the line traverses have been drained by good substantial drains. The locomotive has been put together, and is now busily engaged ballasting the line and hauling building-stone to the mill. Twelve of the iron side-tipping trucks are on the ground, and we have received advice that fifty more, which should be sufficient for our requirements, are now on their way out from England. You are here: Heritage on the HRT Cycleway Tramway to Victoria Battery HP Barry, description of tramway
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Waihi-Waikino Gold Tramway
History.
The township of Waihi was home to the  Martha Gold Mine, with the first stamping battery coming into use in 1882. By the mid 1890s the mine was needing a new stamping battery, which was decided to be put down the Ohinemuri River at Waikino due to the availability of water power, and to keep stamping noise away from Waihi township. The tramway was built parallel to the Ohinemuri River, 5.75 miles (9.25 km) long, to the uncommon gauge of 2 ft 9 in (838 mm).