Tasmania's Mining History

Penguin Iron Mine

The photograph shows ore trucks used on the iron mine in the Penguin district. Horse-drawn trucks were commonly used on tramlines before the advent of steam, and the rails were made from wood or iron. The man in the rear has his hand on the brake lever to prevent the trucks from going too fast downhill. Other points of interest include the wooden supports for the bridge, and the dense forest growth.

Horse-Drawn Tramway

Photograph number 24 of 50 - Horse-Drawn Tramway near Penguin (c1900)

Photograph and text taken from "Photoprints Early Northwest", published by the Tasmanian Education Department, 1980