It has always been my dream to see a Cable Car running again in Dunedin.
Hopefully this can be achieved within my lifetime..!!
WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT? - GO HERE
OR VIEW A SECOND FUNDING PROPOSAL - GO HERE
Some History [This information has been "borrowed" from another encyclopedia, but I have amended some incorrect information]
The first Dunedin cable car line opened in 1881, the engineer responsible being George Smith Duncan. For this system he introduced the pull curve and the slot brake; the former was a way to pull cars through a curve, since Dunedin's curves were too steep to allow coasting, while the latter forced a wedge down into the cable slot to stop the tram, which was deemed necessary after the line had a runaway tram some two months after it opened.
LINES [Routes]:
Roslyn and Kaikorai [Restored car above]
Dunedin's first cable car served Roslyn (although initially only going as far as the town belt), covering a distance of 1.4 miles, opening on February 6, 1881. The line went up Rattray Street, with the world's first pull curve in front of St Joseph's Cathedral. It then cut through the Town Belt (where the cutting is still generally visible) past the Beverly-Begg Observatory to climb the full length of Ross Street and part of Belgrave Crescent, then descend through a cutting to the valley near Frasers Road. The western section beyond the cutting was too steep for a road link, so, when the cable cars ceased on October 25, 1956, the portion near Belgrave Crescent was redeveloped as a short street serving several houses while retaining the pedestrian walkway through to Delta Street. Trolleybuses replaced the service as far as Belgrave Crescent, using City Road instead of the straight steep cutting through the Town Belt.
Traveling a distance of 1.2 miles, the Stuart Street line opened on October 6, 1900, running largely parallel to the Roslyn line. The track went up Stuart Street from The Octagon, past the main entrance of King Edward Technical College, turning half-right at York Place into what was then called Albert Street, continued on past the end of that street through a short section of Town Belt, past Otago Boys' High School, across the bottom of Littlebourne Crescent and up to Highgate at School Street, then dropped down to Kaikorai just before Nairn Street, where a turntable in the road turned cars through 90° and sent them south-west into their shed.
The route was eventually turned into a four-lane highway, cutting Littlebourne Crescent off from Littlebourne Road, going under a new bridge and undergoing considerable widening on the Kaikorai side, restricting access to Ann Street and Oates Street. It closed on July 31, 1947. To see more - http://www.webs4u.co.nz/kaikorai/start-and-end.html
Mornington [This is my personal preference for restoration]
Opening on March 23, 1883, the Mornington line traveled one mile up High Street, past the High Street School that I attended, to Mornington. Cable Car House (now a plumbing business) which is still clearly marked in the shopping area, having had little external changes since the line closed.
This line had the distinction of being the only cable car route that pulled trailers in peak times - usually morning workers and school children, than the same in the afternoons from about 3:30 to 6pm.
The Mornington line was the last to close, on March 2, 1957, leaving San Francisco with the only operational cable car system in the world.
Maryhill Extension
The Maryhill Extension exited from the back of the Mornington cable car house, following Glenpark Avenue for 0.5 miles. The line was perfectly straight, and was sometimes referred to as The Big Dipper, similar to a roller coaster, going steeply down one side [I believe this was a gradient of 1:4.7] of the valley and then up the other side.
This was actually next to Brunel Street where the Site Owner spent most of his childhood growing up
It opened on March 18, 1885 and closed on October 29, 1955, Just after I had moved out of Dunedin to go north.
Elgin Road Extension
The Elgin Road Extension also left the Mornington cable car house, going up Mailer Street [I beg to differ here - it turned left off Mailer street and into Lawrence Street, then up Havelock Street turning left into Elgin Road - I remember as a small boy being fascinated with the rails still seen in the roadway] and then following Elgin Road for a total of 0.9 miles. It opened on October 6, 1906, and closed only four years later, on January 22, 1910. In contrast to Dunedin's other cable car lines, there was very little gradient on this line, perhaps explaining its early closure.
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For me as a youngster, the Mornington and Maryhill, along with the Elgin Road route, held the most appeal. Having been born and raised in Mornington in the mid 1930's, living in the next parallel street to the Maryhill line, I have fond memories of both cable cars. The Maryhill "Big Dipper" as it was known, was just one block of houses from the street I lived in. Most houses had an entrance in Brunel Street and a rear entrance to the steps up the Maryhill line. Well remember counting all the steps up the "dipper" as a youngster, but forget now how many there were [something like 270 of them, but I stand corrected if anyone has accurate knowledge]
My interest, hence correction to the historic record above of the Elgin Street line, comes from early days and frequently visiting family friends who lived in Havelock Street. In those days many of these streets were still gravel roads and I well remember kicking up stones on the street and seeing the remains of the cable car lines under the gravel. My youthful fascination with history lead to my discovery of the actual route and some history of this line.
Cable car No 106, which was more commonly associated with the Maryhill line, originally was built and ran on Elgin Street until it's closure. Until then car No 105 was the regular Maryhill car and continued to function as a standby for that line until closed.
In 1903 the Mornington Shed suffered a disastrous fire, which saw the original Maryhill Car destroyed and a subsequent one built - see photos below. Many a tale can be told of our "pranks" that many of us got up to with the cable cars and trailers at Mornington, but they can keep for another time..!!
The Ferrymead Transport Museum in Christchurch has done a splendid job of restoring one of the Rattray Street cars back to its former glory [see above], and I for one, would love to see it back running up the original route, which I have learnt, is possible. They are also in the process of restoring one of the trailers from the Mornington line and are planning to restore Car 103 from that same line.
SOME NOSTALGIA:
RATTRAY STREET CAR JUST PAST SPEIGHT'S BREWERY
On a typical school day - you just needed a toe-hold and something to hang onto and you were "on-board" This is just above Speight's Brewery and just before reaching the back of Otago Girl's High School.
ON THE MORNINGTON LINE
Car 101 with trailer attached heading up lower High Street. This route could be just as packed as above including the trailer at times. At peak times there were four of these cars and trailers on the route at one time. From memory they travelled at about 7 m.p.h and if we missed the car, were able to chase it and jump on. Well remember hanging on the back end of one side and waiting until the conductor went into the front compartment collecting fares while we jumped off the back and crossed to jump back on the other sies and "save" one penny - oh, that bought two sante bars from the vending machines..!! Once working a one shilling ticket gave 10 rides for the week. At High School we were issued a Free Pass each Term that was subsidised by the Education Board - how times have changed.
VARIOUS ON THE MARYHILL LINE
Car 106 about halfway down the "Big Dipper" and heading towards Maryhill at the far to of the picture. The house to the left of the picture belonged to family friends, the Tait’s, and we were often there as kids. The building at the bottom right of this "dipper' was old horse stables and we played there frequently. The next large building past it was the Presbyterian Church from memory - had a large tennis court where we frequently played cricket on the asphalt - a "six" was over the high fences..!
[This often meant a long chase downhill]
Next prominent building on the right was the local Scout Hall.
Many a time we travelled back and forth on this route for free. A Ken Russell, one-time conductor on the Mornington line was a Motorman here and with no conductor, enjoyed company in the quiet times during school holidays.
Maryhill terminal was at the very top of the picture.
Something that has always fascinated me, and someone
might have answers: In the middle of the route there was
a double track section, which suggest that at sometime
there may have been TWO cars on this line..??
These latter photos were kindly provided by Stan Jelley who was actually a "trainee" teacher of mine at High Street School. His Father, Arch Jelley was the local men's hairdresser when we were kids and their home was behind and to the right of the Church you see above. The Church went through into our street, Brunel Street and the Jelley's lived in the street to the right at the end of our street - 9 Mosgiel Street.
Date of this photo is unknown, but my estimation is that it is likely somewhere between 1910 to say 1920 judging by the period clothing worn. The building in the right foreground is unknown to me as it was not there by the time I was a local boy. Yes, we got snow and plenty of it some winters - great for using Mum's dish tray..!
I am familiar with this cable car having been on it several times while it was replacing the regular 106 for maintenance etc.
But this one I am definitely not familiar - way before my time and even my parents would not remember this one..!!
Now, this really is a beauty as it has to date back
before 1903 as the cable car is the original one for
this line. It was destroyed in the 1903 fire and
the subsequent 105 pictured it above was the
replacement.
SOME VERY INTERESTING COMPARISONS
On the right below is a very old reprint of a postcard very kindly sent to me about three years ago by a gentleman whose ancestor was a gripman on the Cable Cars in the very early 1900's
To the left is a copy of Don McAra's brilliant painting of virtually the same location on the Maryhill line. This is obviously of a much later era than the postcard reproduction above.
More photos and information will be added in due course. I have a video of the old cable cars that, once on CD will be shown on here. It is my intention to pursue further the idea of restoring at least one of these and will be making in the very near future.
My interest is only in the possible funding of such a huge project as I am well aware there is plenty of "experts" quite capable of handling the rest.
MORE INTERESTING REPRODUCTIONS OF DON McARA's BRILLIANT PAINTINGS
Left is the Elgin Street cable car
just turned out of Havelock St into Elgin St [see my comment above] The loop tack in both paitings also suggests this was designed for two cable cars, and I know that Don has got this right - as a kid we could see the remains of these loops still in the tarseal
Right is coming along Elgin Street just by Argyle St that runs through to Glenpark Rdwhere the Maryhill route ran Note that the cable car shown here is the same one that finished up on the Maryhill route after this was closed, thus replacing No 105
This one to the left is another reproduction of Don's paintings, and though it maybe considered that I am biased, I think - the best of them. This page wouldn't be complete without including it.
Note the beauty of the view down High Street, towards the city and including the harbour. Also the two cable cars passing each other and the left one with its trailer car on as above
A very good book [besides Don's one on the site above] - have had a number of requests for this, but don't know if it can still be got....?
Interestingly the front cover picture is the same as a postcard I have - see below. The person with the black ring around is yours truly. This was taken about 1953
Yes, I have a workable plan as to how a project of this magnitude can be done and funded without a cost on individuals, Councils, or Government if only someone, or people will give me a fair hearing. The last time I approached this subject I was rudely and abruptly shut down due to bigotry, ignorance and narrow-mindedness in 2007.
That could now be a blessing in disguise as my passion and desire to see this as a reality has only deepened, while the means to achieve it have become even more viable.
IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS PROJECT BECOME A REALITY AND ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER A LEGAL AND VIABLE PROPOSITION, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU BY EMAIL FIRST.
I already have enormous written support for this project, and much of it from around the World and from unlikely places. But prefer to be able to work with some local Dunedin people, especially those who remember the "Good old Days"
IMAGINE FOR ONE MOMENT WHAT THIS COULD DO FOR DUNEDIN - WHAT AFFECT ON TOURISM - LOCAL BUSINESS AND FOR THE GLOBAL RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVING THIS HUGE PROJECT..!!
Car 106 about halfway down the "Big Dipper" and
Left is the Elgin Street cable car 
