The Sinclair Tramway in Wainuiomata was built around the 1860s. It was used primarily for logging and transporting timber from the surrounding forest. It was later used to transport people to the dam.
The Sinclair Valley Tramway played a crucial role in the family’s logging efforts, which began in the late 1850s to early 1860s. The original tramway was built with wooden rails, but in 1879, Mr. Sinclair requested tenders for the transport of 150 tons of steel rails, likely intending to replace the wooden tramway. It is believed that the steel tramway followed the same path as the earlier wooden one, although there is no evidence to support this. In fact, a February 1883 news article suggests otherwise, implying that a road needed to be built prior to the steel tramway being laid. This certainly opens up the possibility that each tramway took different routes through Sinclair Valley.
There is at least one map showing the full route of the steel tramway, but the older wooden tramway doesn’t appear anywhere. It’s possible that it ran along the southern side of Sinclair Valley near what is now Gums Loop Track, possibly crossing the river at “The Triangle” to connect to the mill. If this were the case, the tramway could have extended toward Sledge Track Creek as logging operations pushed further into the valley. The southern part of Sinclair Valley, known as ‘The Terrace’ due to its flat, elevated terrain, seems like a logical place for the older tramway, especially given the concentration of trees in that area and up the southern hills. However, parts of The Terrace are quite damp, with wetlands present in some areas. If the tramway was located here, it would likely have navigated around these obstacles, eventually terminating at Sledge Track, as the Wainuiomata River creates a significant barrier along the southern hillside with steep, high banks. This area is near the old dam’s spillway, which would later be constructed.
Regardless, what we do know for sure is the steel tramway followed the same route as Reservoir Road up to George Creek. The Sinclair family not only owned the the land that the tramway sat atop, but also held the large expanse of land that they logged. Over the years, they constructed several homes on their land, including House Northbrook, a mansion located close to where the tramway ran along today’s Whitcher Grove. We also know that the Wellington City Council sought to protect the water catchment area at the top of Sinclair Valley for their water supply scheme in 1880, so they got agreements from the Sinclair family and from all other land owners where the water race passed through.
In 1883, due to bankruptcy, the Sinclair family’s properties, homes, sawmill, tools, tramway rails, tramway trucks, wagons, and other assets were sold off. Later, the Council expressed interest in purchasing the Sinclair land located inside the catchment area where Wellington’s water was sourced, but this land was now in the hands of a different owner who suggested an expensive plan to use his land. The council rejected the plan and instead relied on the previous agreement they had with the Sinclair family regarding use of the land as a water catchment to perpetuity.
When the Sinclair family fully ceased logging operations, they left Wainuiomata. But the steel tramway had a dual purpose, so it continued as the transport to the dam. Over time, the tramway was replaced by what is now Reservoir Road which is a private road and has a locked gate. Today, there are only one or two potential artefacts associated with the steel tramway. They are situated in the bush near what is thought to be the location of two huts. These are pictured in the gallery below.
