MOTAT collections

This list collects the transport-related vehicles exhibited or owned by the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aircraft

*Avro Lancaster 1940s bomber (generic restoration)
*Beechcraft 18 Kansan 1940s Photographic aircraft (original)
*CAC Ceres 1950s topdresser (original)
*Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk 1940s fighter (restored)
*De Havilland Fox Moth 1930s airliner (restored)
*De Havilland Dragon Rapide 1930s airliner (restored)
*De Havilland Tiger Moth 1930s trainer, & 1940s topdresser (restored)
*De Havilland Mosquito(being restored in public) 1940s fighter bomber (composite generic reconstruction)
*De Havilland Vampire 1950s jet fighter (original)
*Douglas DC-3 1930s airliner (original)
*Fairey Swordfish 1930s torpedo bomber (replica)
*Fiesler Fi-103 V-1 flying bomb
*Flying Flea 1930s homebuilt (restored)
*Grumman Avenger (being restored in public) 1940s torpedo bomber
*Handley Page Hastings (Nose only) 1950s transport (original)
*Hawker Hurricane1940s fighter (replica)
*Lockheed Model 10 Electra 1930s airliner (generic restoration - another original fuselage (sectioned) also held)
*Lockheed Hudson 1940s patrol bomber (restored)
*Lockheed Lodestar 1940s transport (original, scheduled for restoration)
*Lockheed Ventura 1940s patrol bomber (restored)
*Miles Gemini 1940s light twin (original)
*Miles Magister 1940s trainer (restored)
*North American Harvard (being restored in public) 1940s trainer (restored)
*Transavia Airtruck 1960s topdresser (original)
*Short Sunderland 1940s flying boat (original, receiving restoration)
*Short Solent 1940s flying boat (restored)
*Tui Sports 1930s homebuilt (replica/reconstruction utilising original parts?)
*Westland Wasp 1960s helicopter (original)

Railway locomotives

"NZ Railways Department / NZ Government Railway Steam Locomotives:"
*NZR F class No.180 0-6-0ST 1874 - Yorkshire Engine Company. Sheffield No.244. Named Meg Merillies, a character in Guy Mannering, the novel by Sir Walter Scott published in 1815. Under restoration MOTAT 2.
*NZR L class No.207 2-4-0T 1877 - Avonside Engine Company. No.1201. 18.5 tonnes. Operational. Temporarily renumbered PWD 507 (Public Works Department) for the Maintrunk centenary celebrations, National Park August 2008. Was one of the actual locomotives used on the Parliamentary special a century ago and re-enacted the journey over what was a hastily built temporary connection of the completed sections of track. Some pieces of original rolling stock from 100 years ago were also used.
*NZR D class No.170 2-4-0T 1880 - Neilson and Company, Glasgow No.2563 17.3 tonnes. On display Helensville Station
*NZR Ww class No.491 4-6-4T 1914 - NZGR Hillside Workshops No.116 51.7 tonnes, Sectionalised boiler MOTAT 2
*NZR Y class No.542 0-6-0T 1923 – Hunslet Engine Company. No.1444. 23 tonnes. Operational MOTAT 2
*NZR Ab class No.832 4-6-2 1925 – North British Locomotive Company. No.23190. Tender locomotive. Static – On loan to Glenbrook Vintage Railway
*NZR K class No.900 4-8-4 1932 - NZGR Hutt Workshops. No.277. Tender locomotive. 140.1 tonnes. On display MOTAT 1

"Industrial Steam Locomotives:"
* Mining/Logging Locomotive 0-4-0WT 1904 Orenstein and Koppel GmbH No.1411. 1' 11 1/2" gauge. 1904 Northern Coal Co, Hikurangi & Kiripaka. 1913 NZ Cement Co. Ltd, Limestone Island. 1916 Wilson (NZ) Portland Cement Co., Portland. 1916 Rebuilt & frames widened to 3'6" gauge. Retired 1957. Operational MOTAT 2
*Taupo Totara Timber Company No.6. 0-4-0ST 1912 - Andrew Barclay & Sons Co, Kilmarnock No.1270. To Auckland Gas Company 1925, Pukemiro Colleries 1960. Stored
*Kerr Stuart & Company Limited, London - 0-6-0T 1926 No.4183. 11 tonnes. Used by Kepthorne Prosser at their Otathuhu works. On Display at MOTAT 1 Outside the Waitakere Station and Mount Albert Signal Box

"Note: L207, Y542 & the Orenstein and Koppel were all operated until commercial retirement (1950-80s) by New Zealand Portland Cement Company Limited near Whangarei.

"NZ Railway Diesel, Petrol and Electric Locomotives:"
*NZR DA class No.1400 1955 - General Motors Corporation GM two-cycle, V-type 567c series 1425 h.p. diesel engine. Max 62 mph Static MOTAT 1.
*NZR EB class No.25 0-4-0 1929 - Goodman Manufacturing Company of Chicago No.4039. Diesel Electric converted converted in 1953 from Battery Storage Locomotive. Operational MOTAT 2
*Diesel-Mechanical locomotive 0-4-0 1936 - Hudswell Clarke and Company Leeds No.D602. Four-cylinder paxman Ricardo diesel chain drive. Briggs and Stratton auxiliary starter motor turning flywheel.
*NZR TR class No.21 0-4-0 1938 Drewry Car Company, Birmingham. 78 kW, 9.4tonnes. Light shunting tractor. Operational MOTAT 2.
*NZR DSA class No.223 0-6-0 1953 Drewry Car Company Diesel-mechanical 150 kW, 30 tonnes. Shunting loco. Operational MOTAT 2.
*Mine Locomotive 0-4-0 - Built by Deutz/Lenz NZ Mercury Mines limited Puhi Puhi. Reputed (unconfirmed) to have served with NZ Railway Group during the Great War in Western Samoa. Top speed 8 km/h. Under restoration MOTAT 2.

Railway Rolling Stock and infrastructure of interest includes:A variety of carriages and wagons from the late 19th and 20th century including a sleeping car. Waitakere Station buildings and the Mount Albert Signal Box located at MOTAT 1. MOTAT's collection also includes a Fell brake wagon F210 on loan to Friends of the Fell Society at the Fell Engine Museum.

Railway Carriages

Lists complete carriages only. Other bodies and chassis are in collection pending restoration as well as wagons, vans and Way & Works Vehicles vechicles. On various special ocassions, The Western Springs Railway can operate mixed and goods trains as well as passenger trains using some of the following carriages:

* A 302 (1884 NZR, Petone). 44ft Gum digger car. 2 Compartment Ex Ways & Works Ea 15.

* A 851 (1904 NZR, Petone). 47 1/2 ft Suburban carriage. 1957 Pukemiro Collieries.

* Aa 1068 (1908 NZR Petone). 50ft carriage. Was on loan to McDonalds, Paraparaumu 1986 - 2008 . Now on display MOTAT 1.

* Aa 1136 (1909 NZR, Petone). 50ft carriage. 1909 - 1975 NZR service

* Aa 1480 (1916 NZR, Otahuhu). 50ft carriage. 1916 - 1917 Dining car. 1917 - 1918 sleeper car. 1918 onward Way & Works bunk car & diner as Ea 1979 - (TMS EA 88)

* Af 970 (1907 NZR, Newmarket). 47 1/2 ft carriage. 1907 - 1944 Car - A 970 1944 - 1980c. Carvan - Af 970 (OTH/1939) 1980c MOTAT.

* AL 50147 (1934 NZR, Otahuhu) Previously Al 1816. 50ft carriage. 1934 - 1970 Car A 1816 1970 - 1970s Carvan Al 1816 1970s. Carvan AL50147.

* D 490 (1879 Builder not known) 21 1/2 ft carriage

* F 10 (1883 Builder not known) 20 ft carriage. 1883 - 1950 NZR service - F10 1950 - 1961 Ballast Plough - Ep 2501. 1961 - 2002 Jack Ryder, Auckland. 2002 MOTAT.

* F 247 (1901 NZR, East town) 30ft carriage.

Trams

"Auckland Trams (1902-1956):"
*No.11 1902 Brush Electrical Engineering Co Ltd. Bogie saloon combination. Operational
*No.17 1902 Brush Electrical Engineering Co Ltd. Bogie top top Double Decker. Stored
*No.44 1906 Auckland Electric Tramways Co Ltd. Open fronted, Single truck, Saloon. Operational
*No.89 1909 DSC & Cousins & Cousins Ltd. 52 seat bogie saloon. Stored
*No.91 1909 DSC & Cousins & Cousins Ltd. 52 seat bogie saloon. Dining room for Cropper House Restaurant - MOTAT 1
*No.147 1913 DSC & Cousins & Cousins Ltd. 52 seat bogie saloon. Stored
*No.203 1926 DSC & Cousins & Cousins Ltd. 52 seat Art Deco car steel sided car. Stored
*No.248 1938 Auckland Transport Board’s Royal Oak Workshops. EMB L5 bogied Streamliner. Operational.
*No.253 1940 Auckland Transport Board’s Royal Oak Workshops. EMB L5 bogied Streamliner. Stored.

"Wellington Trams (1904-1964):"
*No.47 1906 Rouse & Black, Wellington. Bogie, open top Double Decker. Under Restoration
*No.135 1921 Wellington City Corporation Tramways. Bogie Saloon. Operational
*No.244 1939 Wellington City Corporation Tramways. Fiducia one man safety car. Stored
*No.252 1940 Wellington City Corporation Tramways. Fiducia one man safety car. Under Restoration.
*No.257 1950 Wellington City Transport Department. Fiducia one man safety car. Operational.
*No.301 1911 Wellington City Corporation Tramways. Single truck freight tram.

"Wanganui Trams (1908-1950):"
*No.10 1912 Boon & Co. Christchurch. Single truck California Combination Car. Stored
*No.21 1921 Boon & Co. Christchurch. Toastrack electric tram trailer. Under restoration.
*No.100 1891 Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia. 11 inch cylinders, former Sydney Steam Motor. Operational.

"Mornington Cable Trams (1883-1957):"
*No.4 (later 107) 1883 Jones Car Co, New York. Cable Car trailer. On display.

"Melbourne Trams:"
*No.321 1925 Holden Bros, Adelaide. W2 class, bogie drop centre. Operational
*No.893 1944 Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board SW6 class, bogie drop centre. Latest acquisition. Under overhaul on arrival.
*No.906 1945 Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board SW6 class, bogie drop centre. Operational

Petrol / diesel buses

"A brief history of omnibuses in Auckland"

Auckland has had a long association with the bus. Horse buses appeared in the mid to late 19th century in competition with the Horse Tramway. Evolving with the invention of the steam, petrol and later diesel engines. The increasingly reliable vehicles served the outlining and semi-rural areas of Auckland not already served by the Tramways from the 1920s. Without the need for expensive fixed infrastructure such as tracks and overhead wires, the flexibility of the road going buses has been their ultimate success.

"Operator - North Shore Transport":

*No.4 1924 White Motor Company. 4 cylinder side valve petrol engine, wooden bodied 23 seat omnibus. Built by Gilmore, Joel & Williams, Auckland for Alf Smith, The United Service Motor-Omnibus Co Limited, Devonport. To NST sometime after 1924. then to Rangitoto Scenic Tours after 1938.
*No.72 1949 Daimler Half Cab, 5 cylinders Gardiner engine, wooden framed, 33 seat omnibus, built by NST. One of 6 in fleet. In service with NST 1949-1968. Stored.
*No.80 (1955) Seddon Half Cab. Perkins diesel engine, wooden framed, 33 seat omnibus, built by NST. One of 3 in fleet. In service with NST 1955-1968. Stored.

"Operator's - Auckland Transport Board - 1929-1964 and Auckland Regional Authority - 1964-Early 1990s"

*No.14 1946 Bedford OWB, petrol engine, wooden bodied 33 seat omnibus, built by the ATB for Tramway Feeder and Hospitals bus services. One of 9 OWB and 34 OB buses in ATB fleet. In service with ATB 1946-1958. Sold to Green Line Buses Avondale, then a School Bus in Huntly.
*No.201 1953 Daimler Freeline, 44 seat under floor diesel bus. Bodywork by Saunders Roe in the UK. Exhibited at the 1953 Commercial Vehicle Show in Leeds, before being exported to NZ. One of 160 in ATB fleet. In service with ATB/ARA 1953-1983. Restored and operable.
*No.301 1954 Bedford SB. Petrol engine, 35 seat lightweight wooden body for Grafton Bridge services. One of 12 in the ATB fleet. In service with ATB/ARA until 1977. Stored
*No.359 1953 A.E.C. Regal Mark IV, 44 seat under floor diesel engine bus, New Zealand Motor Bodies metal framed bus. One of 13 buses in ATB fleet built for St.Heliers / Tamaki Drive Services. In service with the ATB/ARA 1953-1969, then the NST 1969-1971and back to the ARA 1971-1977.
*No.464 1953 Leyland Royal Tiger, 44 seat under floor diesel engine bus. Saunders Roe kitset body. One of 50 in the ATB fleet. In service with ATB/ARA 1953-1983.
*No.1527 1978 Mercedes-Benz O305 diesel under floor diesel bus. New Zealand Motor Bodies built body One of 300 in fleet of buses which replaced the Trolleybuses and many older petrol and diesel buses from the Auckland Regional Authority fleet. In Service with ARA, ARC (Auckland Resional Council), then The Yellow Bus Company after deregulation and Stagecoach. In service 1978 – 1 August 2005.

"Operator New Zealand Railways Road Services"

*No.3592 1964 Bedford SB, 35 seat bus built by New Zealand Motor Bodies. One of the most numerous bus designs to ever be used in NZ. In service with the NZRRS until early 1980s. Then the NZ Prison Service, then finally McLouds Helensville, School bus operator until 2002.

Trolleybuses

"A brief history of Trolleybuses in Auckland"

"Auckland’s First Trolleybuses"

In 1938 Farmers Department Store, began operating four Trolleybuses on a one kilometre long loop from Farmers in Hobson Street, down Victoria Street, turning into Queen Street and finally traversing steep Wyndham Street back to Farmers. These buses were operated until 1967, when an experimental overhaul of No 3 concluded it uneconomic to overhaul the remainder of the fleet. The “Farmers Free Bus” service continued operating with newer Trolleybuses.

"The Tramway Replacement Programme"

The tramway replacement programme started in September 1949 with the conversion of the Herne Bay tram route to trolleybus operation and concluded with the closure of the Auckland tramway system 29 December 1956. The trolleybus routes expanded until 1960 with the conversion to trolleybus operation of the Onehunga route from diesel buses. At its height the system covered 86 kilometres using 133 buses.

The Queen Street Shuttle buses were distinct with a red band painted around the bus and permanently sign written with route information. They also had an increased standee capacity, achieved by reducing one side of the aisle to single seats. They operated with Conductors until fitted with fare honesty boxes until 1972. To reduce standing time at bus stops, entry and alighting were permitted at both front and rear doors. The service was designed for speedy passage of passengers between the Beach Road Railway Station, Queen Street and K Road to the Department Stores.

"Decline and Closure"'

Unfortunately the trolleybus system used the majority of the old Tramway electrical reticulation system which was reaching 80 years of age. Trolleybuses routes began being closed in 1977 in favour of diesel buses. On 28 September 1980 the ceremonial last trolleybus ran and the Auckland trolleybus system closed. A new generation trolleybus system was proposed in the early 1980’s, but a change in policy within the Auckland Regional Authority saw the new-generation trolley bus system abandoned in 1981, despite 20 new Volvo chassis with Ansaldo electrical equipment and Robosio overhead being ordered and delivered and sections of overhead installed. The new buses were sold to Wellington City Transport and completed to their specifications. More recently these trolleybuses were sold and have been converted to diesel buses.

"Farmers Free Trolleybuses:"

*No.1/No.3 1938 Leyland Trolleybus chassis. 37 seat wooden bodied trolleybuses built by DSC & Cousins & Cousins Ltd. Eight bodies built, the first four destroyed by fire in the DSC & Cousins premises, the second four completed by DCS Cousins at the ATB Royal Oak Workshops. Electrical equipment supplied by Metropolitan Vickers. Two of 4 buses in ATB/ATA fleet. Operated by the ATB on behalf of Farmers Trading Company. Later being sold to ATB. In service with the ATB/ARA 1938-1967.

"Suburban Trolleybuses:"

*No.50 1953 “BUTs”. British United Traction (AEC) built chassis. 43 seat Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage & Wagon Company kitset body. Electrical equipment by Metropolitan Vickers. One of 55 in ATB/ARA fleet. In service 1956-1977. Restored, operable and on display MOTAT 1.
*No.85 1956 “SAROs or Tanks”. British United Traction (Leyland) built chassis. 45 seat Saunders Roe kitset body. Electrical Equipment by British Thomson Houston. In service 1956-1977. One of 40 buses in ATB/ARA fleet. On display MOTAT 1.

"Railway – Queen Street – Karangahape Road Shuttle Trolley Buses:"

*No.108 / No.115 1958 “Parkroyals” British United Traction (Leyland) built chassis. 38 seat Parkroyal Kitset body. Electrical Equipment by British Thomson Houston. In service 1956-1977. 34 buses in ATB/ARA fleet. No.115 was converted from a 44 seat to a 38 seat Queen Street Shuttle trolleybus and was the ceremonial last trolleybus to run in Auckland Sunday 28 September 1980.

Associated Equipment Company of England. Vehicle manufacturer. BUT = British United Traction Company. Electrical equipment manufacturer. BTH = British Thomson Houston. Electrical equipment manufacturer. NST = North Shore Transport. NZRRS = New Zealand Railways Road Services. OWB = Official designation for Bedford O series bus chassis built during World War 2. SARO = Saunders Roe Rivaloy Wales. Bus body manufacturer.