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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 5 (September 1, 1928)

Obituary

Obituary

There died recently at Dunedin, at the age of 84 years, Mr. J. Thomas, the first engine driver of the Otago Railways. The late Mr. Thomas was engaged by Mr. Robert Fairlie, the eminent engineer, to bring out the first two engines for Messrs. Bondfoot Olliver and Ulph, who were constructing the Dunedin-Port Chalmers railway. These engines were of the double Fairlie type, and were built by the Vulcan Foundary at Newton le Willows, Lancashire. They were shipped at Liverpool on the ship Wave Queen for Port Chalmers. The ship called at Bristol and there picked up the carriages, wagons and rails for the railway. Mr. Thomas joined the ship at Bristol, and arrived at Port Chalmers on 5th August, 1872.

He superintended the erection of the rolling stock and had the first engine, named “Josephine,” in steam on 11th September, 1872, when he ran a short trip from Port Chalmers to Sawyer's Bay and back, carrying as passengers on the engine about twenty gentlemen invited by Mr. (afterwards the Hon.), R. Oliver, one of the contractors.

The second engine, named “Rose,” was erected later, and assisted in ballasting and completing the track.

The official opening of the Railway took place on 1st January, 1873, when the engine “Josephine,” in charge of Driver Thomas, handled the first passenger train from Dunedin, Oamaru and Clinton. He retired from active service in 1907. His first engine, “Josephine,” was an exhibit of the N.Z. Railways Department in the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition of 1926. A photograph of Mr. Thomas, the first engine driver, was attached to the engine.

The engine was afterwards acquired by the Otago Early Settlers’ Association and now stands at the Association's Hall adjoining Dunedin Station.