Ferrymead Two Foot Railway

The Ferrymead Two Foot Railway Society Inc. is a member society of Ferrymead Heritage Park, in Heathcote, Christchurch, New Zealand. The society operates a two-foot gauge railway, on an oval circuit approximately 450M in length, at the Park. They offer family rides in two small carriages, that have been locally constructed on ex Salt Tub chassis.

Locomotives

The railway has 2 ex Grassmere Salt Works "Planet" locomotives, built by F. C. Hibberd & Co. of London. The one operating is named 'Winifred', in honour of the late youngest daughter of George Skellerup, who owned the Grassmere Salt Works, in Marlborough. The other locomotive is currently being restored, and has been named "George", in honour of George Skellerup.

Wagons

The society has numerous wagons on static display. The fleet includes:

• 6 coal tubs,
• 2 pit run wagons,
• 1 pit-prop wagon,
• 2 pit prop jinkers,
• 1 Home made work wagon, with a low sided wooden top,
• 1 First class 30 foot bogie carriage, ex Colonial Sugar Mills, in Fiji. This was the only first class carriage of its type, on the Fiji free railway service.
• There are also a number of mining wagons, in pieces, awaiting restoration.

Other equipment

A small hand crane is currently residing of a home made chassis, but will shortly be placed on static display, in the railway precinct. It will be permanently disabled, because of safety issues.

External links

• Ferrymead Heritage Park home page
• Light Rail in Heathcote
• Ferrymead's Grassmere Salt Wagons article
• Ferrymead 2 Foot Railway (slightly outdated)
• Some photos of the Railway