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Story: Bush trams and other log transport

Davidson chain-and-sprocket geared locomotive

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Davidson chain-and-sprocket geared locomotive

The Davidson locomotives were built using boilers from New Zealand Railways trains. This is one of the 1908 models, standing almost complete in the Davidson yard at Hokitika. Davidsons were designed to work on both wooden and steel rails.

Using this item

Private collection

by B. Thiem

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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How to cite this page

Paul Mahoney, Bush trams and other log transport – Lokeys, bogies and rail tractors, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12234/davidson-chain-and-sprocket-geared-locomotive (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Mahoney, published 1 March 2009.