McLaren 227
This machine was J & H McLarens export number
227 to New Zealand. It arrived in new Zealand on the 21 October 1884, at
the time of its delivery it was named "The Maori".
The Maori received its first boiler ticket in January of 1885.
From 1902 - 1908 The Maori was based at Waitahu and was used to drive a sawmill there belonging to E. Lockington.
After this The Maori was sold in 1909 to the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand, Reefton. Work done while under the Consolidated Goldfields ownership was mainly operating sawmills in the area, although it can be noted that some of the first loads of machinery to be transported to Waiuat were drawn by The Maori. No 227 worked under this company until 1918.
In 1919 The Maori was again sold, this time to E.A.Lemon, Snowy River, Ikamatua. Here The Maori was used for sawmilling and logging. In 1923 a boiler inspector noted that the engine was decaying generally as it was exposed to the elements.
On the 25 April 1940 The Maori was last certified. At some stage the McLaren was dumped into the Snowy River, as some sort of river protection.
In 1976 the McLaren was discovered and salvaged, During the 1978 - 1978 period The Maori was restored, tthis was done with assistance from the herons Steam Museum founder, Frank Heron. During the restoration the original boiler was scrapped, the new boiler being from an old Aveiling & Porter traction. This boiler was built in 1902 as part of Aveiling & Porter No.4874.
Once restored The Maori was extensively rallied, 1979 - 1983, in the Canterbury - West Coast region. Today The Maori can sometimes be seen chugging about the Shantytown Railway yard. And on special occasions The Maori is brought down from he rail yard in to Shantytown village. Where the public can marvel at her. Younger people are amazed at how versatile these machines were, from Threasing, to Sawmilling, to Hauling Wagons of wool to the railway station.
The Maori was the star attraction of the 125th Anniversary Rally, to celebrate the first McLaren traction engine leaving the works floor.
The Maori received its first boiler ticket in January of 1885.
From 1902 - 1908 The Maori was based at Waitahu and was used to drive a sawmill there belonging to E. Lockington.
After this The Maori was sold in 1909 to the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand, Reefton. Work done while under the Consolidated Goldfields ownership was mainly operating sawmills in the area, although it can be noted that some of the first loads of machinery to be transported to Waiuat were drawn by The Maori. No 227 worked under this company until 1918.
In 1919 The Maori was again sold, this time to E.A.Lemon, Snowy River, Ikamatua. Here The Maori was used for sawmilling and logging. In 1923 a boiler inspector noted that the engine was decaying generally as it was exposed to the elements.
On the 25 April 1940 The Maori was last certified. At some stage the McLaren was dumped into the Snowy River, as some sort of river protection.
In 1976 the McLaren was discovered and salvaged, During the 1978 - 1978 period The Maori was restored, tthis was done with assistance from the herons Steam Museum founder, Frank Heron. During the restoration the original boiler was scrapped, the new boiler being from an old Aveiling & Porter traction. This boiler was built in 1902 as part of Aveiling & Porter No.4874.
Once restored The Maori was extensively rallied, 1979 - 1983, in the Canterbury - West Coast region. Today The Maori can sometimes be seen chugging about the Shantytown Railway yard. And on special occasions The Maori is brought down from he rail yard in to Shantytown village. Where the public can marvel at her. Younger people are amazed at how versatile these machines were, from Threasing, to Sawmilling, to Hauling Wagons of wool to the railway station.
The Maori was the star attraction of the 125th Anniversary Rally, to celebrate the first McLaren traction engine leaving the works floor.