What A Nice Day For A Traction Engine Commute – From Winton To Bluff

Southland Gold: Ray Hardwick, of Bluff and Dave Hart, of Makarewa left Winton today at 8.45am with the plan of reaching Bluff by 3pm today – in a rare 1924 Burrell Compound Hydraulic Steam Traction Engine.

Mr Hardwick said the journey, from Winton to Invercargill on State Highway 6 and then from Invercargill to Bluff on State Highway 1, was so the traction engine could have some maintenance repair work at Jesco Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineers in Bluff.

The trailer of wood was full when they left Winton and the pair expected to make it to Bluff on the remaining load.

In a parting comment Mr Hardwick laughed and said the pair were “mad” to partake in the journey.