Auckland Tram Number 304
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Number 304 was one of the Auckland, New Zealand, Freight/Works trams which operated from 1913-1957. It was built in the Ponsonby Depot and commissioned on 1 August 1913. 304 was designed to carry rails for reconstruction and construction of the Auckland Tramway network.
During peace celebrations in 1919 No. 304 carried a brass band up and down Queen Street.
10 December 1956 was Number 304's last journey into Central Auckland where it removed the remains of a damaged safety zone. It was the last tram to move under power on the original tram system in 1957 towing tram 248 now at Museum of Transport and Technology.
Number 304's Blackwell trolley standard which the trolley pole's were attached to were removed in 1957. They were later sent to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland where they were fitted to two trams when undergoing restoration (numbers 44 & 11)
Contents
No. 304 in the early 1900s
Number 304 entered service in 1913. The New Zealand Herald stated "she is a travelling crane which will easily accommodate nine lengths of rail. It would take three carts to handle such a load". In 1917 a Ponsonby tram ran off the lines on the corner of Queen and Trafalgar Streets. No. 304 was sent to assist.
Fate
On 5 July 1957, No. 304 was withdrawn from service after towing dismantled old Auckland tram bodies around the Royal Oak Workshops that were left after the closure of the Auckland tramways in 1956. Once 304 had towed the last tram to the gallows (used to raise old tram bodies to enable transport to their new homes) it was sent back to the truckshop. Graham Stewart (author of many tram history books) had written in chalk on the front aprons "THE END". 304 was sold to a farmer on Smith Canal Road, Ruawai, Northland, in 1957 to be used as a bridge on a farm. 304 left the Royal Oak Workshops on 5 September 1957 by Elliot (Te Kopuru Transport).
It was neglected for over 10 years before being demolished and pushed to the other side of the canal in the 1970s. The car's remains are still visible as of 2009.
The journey to Smith Canal Road, Ruawai
In 1957, Number 304 was sold to new owners. Transported by Te Kopuru Transport it was placed on the right-hand side of Smith Canal Road, 200-300m up from the intersection with State Highway 12. Its remains today however are opposite the above spot to the other side of the road.
Detailed Information
Number 304 had double trucks and canopies over both motorman's cabins with glass fronts. With a 30cwt (1.5 tonne) jib-crane at one end. Part of the crane is visible in the detailed photo to the right. No. 304's jib was said to have been fitted to a tow truck based at Ruawai, however this has not been proved.
References
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