Denniston, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Denniston is a small settlement in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand. in the West Coast region. It is on the small Mount Rochfort Plateau in the Papahaua Ranges 600 metres above sea level, 18 kilometres north-east of Westport.
During the early years of the 20th century Denniston's population was close to 2000, due to the large coal mine close to the town. It is now little more than a ghost town, with a population of less than 50. The location, history and fate of Denniston are similar to those of Millerton, New Zealand.
Denniston's main noteworthiness was for its mine railway, the Denniston Incline connecting with the the Conns Creek branch line [1]. Opened in 1879 [2][3]and operating until 1968 [4], the incline was gravity operated, with full loads of coal descending, returning empty wagons to the plateau. Data about its grade varies: according to the Solid Energy web site it fell 330 metres in 1.8 kilometres, while Westcoast.org says 510 metres in 1.7 kilometres. Some sections had gradients steeper than 1 in 1.3. The incline had many accidents, frequently with loss of life.
Coal is still mined in the area, at the Stockton coal field.
[edit] References
- ^ NZ rail geography
- ^ Coal and coal mining - The 19th century - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
- ^ Buller Development Company - Denniston
- ^ [1]
[edit] External links
- Te Ara Encyclopaedia: Coal Mining & the Dennison Incline (video)
- NZ Institute of Professional Engineers Heritage page on Denniston Incline
- Photos of Denniston and the coalhead as it is today
- Photos of Denniston and the coalhead as it was.
- Details on the operation of the Incline.
