Trikes

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This is a hand-operated or manual railway tricycle or trike for one or two-man operation. It is typical of those used on the New South Wales Government Railways as an easy way to transport staff and equipment along the railway lines. It was made at the Railways' Per Way workshop at Goulburn in about 1945 and was used around South Grafton railway station on the New South Wales north coast. Its purpose was for lamp trimmers travelling out to signals beyond the station as it features a divided compartment at the back in which signal lamps could be carried.

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Greg Lee:


That is a Pull Trike, and there were two distinct types, Single Pull and Double Pull. The one shown is Single Pull. Its purpose was to take freshly prepared 7-day lamps out to signals, and replace the ones there, which were brought in for refilling, wick trimming and general maintenance.
Pull trikes weren't only used by station staff for lamp duties. Up until the '50s they were used by fettling gangs as well. They used to put a piece of chicken mesh between the outrigger and the main frame, and carry their tools, shovel, hammer, beater pick, jigger, from their trolley shed to their place of work.



Pete Miller:


Had one catch on fire from leaking kerosene signal lamps while coming back in from the up distant at Weismantels once. I also remember the one at Bulliac had two outriggers fitted. I never found out why it was different though. The one at Craven had no seat and no brakes, which made it challenging to take down the hill to the down distant.