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AUCKLAND TRAM No 44 Operators: Auckland Electric Tramway Company Limited Auckland City Tramways Auckland Transport Board Tram No 44 was constructed using mostly Kauri during 1906 in the Auckland Electric Tramway Company Limited’s barn and workshops located in Jervious Road. Formerly the Herne Bay horse tram sheds, entering service 1st December 1906. Built while the Auckland Tramway system and the population of Auckland were growing rapidly, using running gear previously used by the freight tram of the same number. Report from “The New Zealand Herald”, Tuesday 4 December 1906 “The old freight car of the Auckland electric tramways has been dismantled and converted into a small passenger car similar to those which are run on the Parnell and Herne Bay lines. The work of reconstruction was carried out by the company’s own employees. The new car, which is painted green, and bears the number 44 (the old freight car’s number) was put in on Saturday [1 December 1906] and is now being utilised for the Herne Bay line...” This new tram was built to match the second hand running gear, to the similar length as the 1902 English built Dinghy four wheel trams. Incorporating design features of the H class trams being built at the time, which were almost double the length. Hence the pillar spacing allowing for five windows down either side differing from all the other Dinghies, which had six windows. As new, No 44 was the first tram in the Auckland fleet to be painted Brunswick green and cream colour scheme with India red windows. Braking relied on the strength of the Motorman using a gooseneck brake handle. Design characteristics inherited from the horse tram era, including an open front with the motorman exposed to the elements. A modernisation programme was introduced with motorman’s windscreens installed and canopies rebuilt 25th November 1910. Pneumatic “air” brakes and sanding gear later fitted 20th April 1912. The Dinghies were all coupled in pairs in 1918, becoming known as Twins. No 44 being coupled with No 49, December 5 1918. These two trams were odd sods, later both being rebuilt in February 1921 to match each other with six windows down either side. A smoking partition was added but physical and documented evidence differs as to when. The Twins were uneconomic to operate requiring a motorman and two conductors. During 1931, they were retired from service as fleet numbers of higher capacity trams allowed. Upon being retired 8th June 1931, No’s 44 and 49 were stripped of mechanical and electrical equipment and sold. No 44 became a garden shed in Royal Oak, complete with pot belly stove. Residing approximately where the McDonald’s restaurant is now. Rescued in 1963, No 44 was one of the first artefacts collected by MOTAT and stored for future restoration. She is now being renovated to externally appear as she would have in 1906 with an open front. The interior will appear as it have from 1921, rich with materials and fittings installed during it’s last rebuild.
Name/ Title: Auckland Tram No.44 (1906) A type ‘Dinghy copy’. In Service: 1st December 1906 – 8th June 1931 Description: First locally built Electric Passenger tram built in Auckland. Bodywork: Auckland Electric Tramway Company Limited Length: 29’ 11” Width: 7’ 6” Weight 9.85 tons Seating capacity 30, Standing 10 Trolley standard: Blackwell Original Truck: Brush 4-wheel truck. 4’-8½” (1435mm) gauge Original Motors: 2 x Brush 1200 @ 40hp Original Controllers: Brush H2, then General Electric K6 after being coupled 31st March 1921 Present Truck: Brill copy 21E ex Brussels in Belgium. 4’ 8½” (1435mm) gauge Present Motors: 2 x MTV30 @ 40Hp (re-rated from 70hp) Present Controllers: 2 x General Electric K35JJ Previous Location: Garden Shed, Private Residence Royal Oak, Auckland. MOTAT Accession No: 1964.111 Complied by: David Cawood Report from “The New Zealand Herald”, Tuesday 4 December 1906
Auckland Dinghy tram No.44n Parnell Rise 1909
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