1767:
1759:
1841:
1631:
618:
476:
388:
1316:
665:
429:
381:
1240:
1193:
1149:
1077:
990:
965:
918:
874:
830:
764:
632:
28:
1262:
1037:
896:
852:
808:
786:
742:
397:
1364:
1309:
658:
625:
527:
1442:
1371:
520:
436:
284:
1937:
1342:
1284:
1215:
1171:
1124:
1099:
940:
717:
695:
593:
495:
461:
1417:
1012:
563:
351:
320:
1573:
1698:
1646:
In 1882 the East and West Coast
Railway League was formed and in 1884 a Royal Commission, although fully aware of the construction difficulties of the Waimakariri Valley-Arthurs Pass route, as compared with the somewhat easier but longer Hurunui Valley-Harpers Pass route, chose the more direct route.
1705:
The section would include 16 tunnels and four major viaducts not including the Kowai already constructed. The viaducts were built under
Treasury contracts by both New Zealand and British bridging firms. The most spectacular of these, the Staircase Viaduct carries the rails 75 metres above the bed of
1709:
It was slow laborious work with men, horses, picks, shovels and very little machinery. It was not until 1906 that trains were running to a temporary terminus at Broken River – in time for the
Christchurch Exhibition and at last enabling the journey, by rail and coach, from Greymouth to Christchurch
1693:
and Broken River gorges, some 8.5 miles (13 km) of the route surveyed by C. Napier Bell in 1883 and described to the Royal
Commission by District Engineer W.N. Blair as "very rough, the mountain slope rises from the riverbed while the river runs in a fearful gorge all the way".
1681:
For various reasons, the company managed to complete only 120 km of the line, and the
Government exercised its right to take possession of the line in 1895, although protracted legal battles meant that full control was not achieved until 1900, with the line complete as far as
1710:
to be completed in one day. Progress slowed after that although the country to be traversed became much easier. Cass was not reached until 1910 and Arthur's Pass township in 1914 – the
Westland section meantime having advanced to Otira – to meet the other major obstacle.
1816:
for export. Pike River Coal had reserved under contract with Toll Rail 1.3 million tonnes of capacity for their coal on the line, which since upgrading has a total capacity of 4 million tonnes. However coal from the Pike River facility at
Rapahoe stopped since the
1638:
Railway development in the South Island in the 1870s was concentrated on a main line linking the established centres of
Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill and light, easily constructed branch lines serving the arable plains; (see
1722:
in 1914. Cobb & Co coaches were used to transport passengers between the two railheads while the tunnel was under construction. Undeterred the government continued with construction, despite spiralling costs and labour shortages due to
1717:
began in 1907, but progress was very slow. By 1912 only 2.9 km of the projected 9 km length of tunnel was complete and in 1913 the initial contractor walked off the job. In the interim the eastern railhead reached
3305:
1544:
3756:
3751:
3746:
3336:
2352:
1659:
3121:
331:
3645:
3180:
1650:
The construction of the line was rejected in 1883 by a Royal
Commission, who argued that despite the significant timber and coal resources of the
1537:
3741:
2252:
703:
2388:
3147:
2379:
1678:, and capital was raised in London by the firm to meet this end. The Company entered into a contract with the Government the same year.
1667:
1625:
2495:
1530:
2271:
2233:
2214:
2195:
2176:
1735:
137:
1766:
2683:
2549:
1326:
3329:
2911:
1921:
1913:
1894:
1845:
1794:
1743:
1581:
33:
1852:
The line was unique in New
Zealand for its captive use of many different types of locomotives. These locomotives include the
3615:
3276:
3261:
3236:
3013:
2964:
1747:
1640:
123:
3241:
3185:
2500:
2476:
2438:
1771:
679:
365:
294:
239:
3226:
2615:
3625:
3174:
3160:
2882:
1778:
Freight on the line depends largely on coal traffic, with other general freight being restricted to products from the
1663:
675:
1654:
of the South Island, the line would not be economic, in the face of limited resources during the Premiership of Sir
3696:
3533:
3322:
3193:
2900:
2596:
2288:
1829:
1456:
3589:
3498:
3473:
1878:
To house the larger and more numerous locomotives, Elmer Lane shed opened at Greymouth in 1928. Then the largest
1872:
1828:
at Ngakawau, north of Westport. Trains to and from Ngakawau use the Midland line as far as the junction with the
1428:
3543:
3468:
3423:
3256:
1861:
1818:
728:
183:
3574:
1758:
2106:
1920:
was the dominant motive power on the line. Increasing volumes of coal traffic led to the introduction of the
3690:
3553:
3503:
3382:
3271:
2451:
2415:
2372:
1651:
1630:
197:
3266:
2107:"On the West Coast — New Engine Depot at Elmer Lane — Officially Opened: The New Zealand Railways Magazine"
3528:
3433:
3428:
2628:
1813:
1779:
1593:
1350:
506:
413:
92:
2347:
2342:
2337:
1662:
to enable private interests to construct a line. The major obstacle to engineers and politicians was the
3231:
2826:
2555:
2544:
2409:
2062:
1671:
1135:
604:
1840:
3448:
3392:
3251:
3246:
3115:
3026:
2957:
1634:
Aerial view of the straight run from Rolleston to Kirwee gleaming from the afternoon Sun, August 2022
1889:
The Otira tunnel was electrified 1923–1997, and two classes of electric locomotives were used – the
3678:
3584:
3569:
3458:
3453:
2875:
2861:
2745:
2731:
2489:
1890:
1875:. The Garratt G class, by then rebuilt as 'Pacific' type locomotives were also used on this route.
1675:
298:
40:
3599:
3594:
3579:
1608:. The line features five major bridges, five viaducts and 17 tunnels, the longest of which is the
3086:
2932:
2905:
2833:
2706:
2365:
2322:
2310:
2298:
1879:
1868:
1226:
642:
3418:
2671:
1670:
was formed by Nelson and Canterbury business interests to construct the line, and the line from
1871:). The class were made famous by a documentary named "K country", a term that has entered into
475:
3720:
3620:
3413:
3345:
3134:
3039:
2854:
2718:
2603:
2590:
2267:
2248:
2229:
2210:
2191:
2172:
1883:
1690:
1464:
974:
951:
3714:
3127:
3060:
2978:
2819:
2787:
2752:
2585:
2512:
2133:
1857:
1719:
1023:
3666:
3635:
3508:
3387:
3357:
3141:
3032:
3006:
2985:
2971:
2800:
2724:
2646:
2633:
2609:
2443:
1809:
537:
471:
409:
1864:, once the second most powerful steam locomotives in New Zealand (after the short-lived
3708:
3438:
3210:
3167:
3093:
3074:
3067:
3053:
3046:
2999:
2925:
2894:
2888:
2868:
2847:
2840:
2794:
2773:
2759:
2738:
2701:
2666:
2653:
2639:
2622:
2538:
2506:
2482:
2447:
1393:
1385:
3735:
3702:
3684:
3654:
3548:
3523:
3368:
3361:
3080:
3020:
2780:
2766:
2712:
2677:
2188:
On the Trans-Alpine Trail: A Travel Guide to State Highway 73 and the Midland Railway
1825:
207:
3672:
3660:
3518:
3513:
3281:
2992:
2951:
2918:
2084:
1949:
1925:
1917:
1909:
1902:
1898:
1853:
1714:
1655:
1643:). These later included a branch to Springfield which was reached by January 1880.
1609:
1601:
1046:
213:
75:
3538:
2660:
2421:
1739:
1724:
1613:
1605:
1577:
178:
79:
27:
3489:
2318:
2306:
2294:
1941:
1798:
1787:
1179:
37:
1742:, travels this line. The service operates 7 days as Trains 803 and 804 using
2357:
1936:
1597:
97:
1908:
Diesel traction was introduced to the line in 1968 with the arrival of the
1689:
The major obstacle to the route lay immediately ahead: the forcing of the
1572:
1783:
133:
65:
3478:
3463:
3443:
1865:
1686:
on the western side and Broken River on the eastern (Canterbury) side.
234:
1697:
1452:
1381:
1050:
3408:
2331:"A Kb loco-hauled freight train approaching the Alps (undated photo)"
1848:
locomotives on the Midland line, being used as a snow plough in 2011.
1802:
1494:
1295:
541:
267:
3563:
Lakes in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary)
3314:
1935:
1765:
1757:
1696:
1683:
1629:
1571:
1110:
1808:
On 27 November 2007, it was announced that coking coal from the
1490:
263:
3318:
2361:
2353:
Ontrack: 90m Tunnel near Kiwi Point, Greymouth daylighted, 2011
2330:
1790:
carried a total of 2.1 million tonnes of coal over the line.
43:
hauling a 1,800 tonne coal train on the Midland line in 2006.
202:
1500V DC (Arthurs Pass to Otira, 1923 – 1997)
2309:. National Film Unit newsreel on Youtube. 5 December 2015.
2297:. National Film Unit newsreel on Youtube. 5 December 2015.
1481:
254:
2264:
Life along the Steel Road: A Story of the Midland Railway
2145:
2143:
1886:
replaced an earlier 50 ft (15 m) turntable.
1824:
The other primary source of coal traffic is from the
2169:
The Midland Line: New Zealand's Trans-Alpine Railway
2085:"Pike River Coal Announces New Coal Transport Route"
3644:
3608:
3562:
3487:
3401:
3375:
3219:
3203:
3107:
2942:
2809:
2692:
2576:
2569:
2523:
2469:
2462:
2432:
2402:
2395:
206:
196:
177:
169:
161:
156:
148:
143:
129:
119:
111:
106:
85:
71:
61:
53:
48:
20:
2245:Journey to the Pass: Memories of the Midland Line
1793:Usually, coal services are headed by two class
3402:Towns and settlements (upstream to downstream)
3306:New Zealand railway museums and heritage lines
3488:Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by
3330:
2373:
2348:Derailment near Cora Lynn, 1923 (more photos)
1955:The heights and lengths of the viaducts are:
1948:The line has 16 tunnels including the 8,554m
1924:, a number specially modified for use in the
1538:
8:
1727:. The tunnel was finally completed in 1923.
1592:is a 212 km section of railway between
3295:represents lines used by passenger trains,
2228:. Wellington: Grantham House. p. 148.
1882:in the country, its 70 ft (21 m)
1701:Moana railway station and goods shed (2021)
3337:
3323:
3315:
2573:
2466:
2399:
2380:
2366:
2358:
1957:
1944:'s disused passenger shelter shed in 2021.
1660:East and West Coast and Nelson Railway Act
1545:
1531:
247:
220:
3122:Dunedin Peninsula and Ocean Beach Railway
2247:. Templeton, Christchurch: Hilton Press.
2243:Wright, Stephen; Wright, Matthew (2009).
2136:". Southern Press. May 1997. p. 216.
2343:Derailment near Cora Lynn, 1923 (photos)
2266:. Renwick, Marlborough: Yuilleen White.
2149:
1916:locomotives in the early 1980s from the
1839:
3757:Rail transport in the West Coast Region
3752:Rail transport in the Canterbury Region
3747:3 ft 6 in gauge railways in New Zealand
3609:Other features (upstream to downstream)
3181:Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company
2190:. Johnsonville, Wellington: IPL Books.
2171:. Johnsonville, Wellington: IPL Books.
2065:. Contractor Magazine. 21 February 2017
2054:
1801:wagons, with a total capacity of 1,800
222:
2325:from the original on 21 December 2021.
2313:from the original on 21 December 2021.
2301:from the original on 21 December 2021.
17:
3299:indicates lines which are now closed.
2321:. video on Youtube. 5 December 2015.
2226:Rail: The Great New Zealand Adventure
1905:electric locomotives were also used.
7:
2319:"Ka 942 to Arthurs Pass Winter 2014"
2207:The TranzAlpine Express: New Zealand
2063:"Heritage NZ: The Otira rail tunnel"
1797:locomotives, and consist of 30 coal
3148:New Zealand Midland Railway Company
1668:New Zealand Midland Railway Company
1658:, although Parliament did pass the
1626:New Zealand Midland Railway Company
617:
396:
14:
2338:Patterson's Creek viaduct (photo)
1736:The Great Journeys of New Zealand
1612:. It is the route of the popular
138:The Great Journeys of New Zealand
2307:"Ka (steam engine) on Cass Bank"
1440:
1415:
1369:
1362:
1340:
1314:
1307:
1282:
1260:
1239:
1238:
1213:
1192:
1191:
1169:
1148:
1147:
1122:
1097:
1076:
1075:
1035:
1010:
989:
988:
964:
963:
938:
917:
916:
894:
873:
872:
850:
829:
828:
806:
784:
763:
762:
740:
715:
693:
663:
656:
631:
630:
623:
616:
591:
561:
525:
518:
493:
474:
459:
434:
427:
395:
387:
386:
379:
349:
318:
282:
26:
2087:. Scoop.co.nz. 28 November 2007
1895:New Zealand EA class locomotive
1315:
1261:
1036:
895:
851:
807:
785:
741:
664:
428:
380:
3175:Taupo Totara Timber Co Railway
2496:Palmerston North–Gisborne Line
2209:. Wellington: Grantham House.
2186:Churchman, Geoffrey B (1991).
2167:Churchman, Geoffrey B (1988).
1912:, which until the transfer of
1363:
1308:
657:
624:
526:
57:Open to passengers and freight
1:
3277:Wainuiomata railway proposals
3237:Canterbury Interior Main Line
1441:
1370:
519:
435:
283:
152:4 August 1923 (complete line)
3742:Railway lines in New Zealand
2295:"Steam lives on: Kb Country"
1341:
1283:
1214:
1170:
1123:
1098:
939:
716:
694:
592:
494:
460:
3616:Arthur's Pass National Park
3161:Riccarton Racecourse Siding
1750:class passenger carriages.
1416:
1011:
562:
350:
319:
124:New Zealand railway network
3773:
3646:Longest New Zealand rivers
3194:Whakatane Board Mills Line
1873:New Zealand railfan jargon
1830:Stillwater - Westport Line
1623:
3352:
3290:
2450:), known together as the
2389:New Zealand railway lines
2032:186 m or 610 ft
2016:162 m or 531 ft
2000:133 m or 436 ft
1984:149 m or 489 ft
1952:and four major viaducts.
1891:English Electric EO class
1499:
1477:
1449:
1434:
1427:
1406:
1378:
1356:
1349:
1334:
1323:
1301:
1294:
1276:
1269:
1254:
1247:
1232:
1225:
1207:
1200:
1185:
1178:
1163:
1156:
1141:
1134:
1116:
1109:
1091:
1084:
1069:
1044:
1029:
1022:
1004:
997:
982:
972:
957:
950:
932:
927:Bridge 28 "Slovens Creek"
925:
910:
903:
888:
881:
866:
859:
844:
837:
822:
815:
800:
793:
778:
771:
756:
749:
734:
727:
709:
702:
687:
672:
650:
639:
610:
603:
585:
573:
549:
534:
512:
505:
484:
468:
453:
446:
421:
406:
373:
361:
337:
330:
306:
291:
276:
272:
250:
219:
165:212 km (132 mi)
25:
3257:Nelson railway proposals
3242:Haywards–Plimmerton Line
3186:Wellington–Manawatu Line
2550:Stillwater–Ngākawau Line
2501:Stratford–Okahukura Line
2477:Marton–New Plymouth line
2262:White, Yuilleen (1998).
2029:37 m or 121 ft
2013:39 m or 128 ft
1997:55 m or 180 ft
1981:72 m or 236 ft
1819:Pike River Mine disaster
1812:would be transported to
1327:Stillwater–Ngākawau Line
185:3 ft 6 in
3272:Taupo railway proposals
3227:Avondale–Southdown Line
2684:Waiuku and Mission Bush
2452:South Island Main Trunk
2416:North Island Main Trunk
773:Paterson's Creek bridge
2224:Sinclair, Roy (1987).
2205:Sinclair, Roy (1995).
1945:
1897:. Some members of the
1849:
1780:Westland Milk Products
1775:
1770:Driving piles for the
1763:
1746:class locomotives and
1702:
1635:
1585:
1158:Taramakau River bridge
1086:Rolleston River bridge
3232:Auckland Airport Line
3220:Significant proposals
2556:Waimea Plains Railway
2545:Otago Central Railway
2410:East Coast Main Trunk
1940:A coal train passing
1939:
1843:
1769:
1761:
1700:
1633:
1575:
3697:Waiau Toa / Clarence
3393:Waimakariri District
3376:Administrative areas
3252:Martinborough Branch
3247:Marsden Point Branch
3116:Dun Mountain Railway
3014:Ngapara and Tokarahi
2965:Dunback and Makareao
2111:nzetc.victoria.ac.nz
1856:locomotives between
1810:Pike River Coal mine
1202:Crooked River bridge
883:Broken River viaduct
34:DX class locomotives
2490:North Auckland Line
1249:Arnold River bridge
999:Bealey River bridge
3267:Paeroa–Pokeno Line
3204:Under construction
3128:Glen Massey Branch
2597:Donnellys Crossing
1946:
1850:
1821:in November 2010.
1776:
1764:
1762:Stair Case Viaduct
1731:Passenger services
1703:
1636:
1586:
643:Whitecliffs Branch
448:Addington Junction
3729:
3728:
3621:Waimakariri Gorge
3383:Canterbury Region
3346:Waimakariri River
3312:
3311:
3135:Hutt Park Railway
3103:
3102:
2820:Blackball and Roa
2565:
2564:
2458:
2457:
2254:978-0-473-14641-2
2041:
2040:
1616:passenger train.
1563:
1562:
1559:
1558:
1555:
1554:
1519:
1518:
1471:
1470:
1400:
1399:
1063:
1062:
975:Waimakariri River
839:Staircase viaduct
41:Bumble-bee livery
3764:
3661:Clutha / Mata-Au
3339:
3332:
3325:
3316:
3262:North Shore Line
2574:
2513:Hutt Valley Line
2467:
2400:
2382:
2375:
2368:
2359:
2334:
2326:
2314:
2302:
2277:
2258:
2239:
2220:
2201:
2182:
2153:
2147:
2138:
2137:
2129:
2123:
2122:
2120:
2118:
2103:
2097:
2096:
2094:
2092:
2081:
2075:
2074:
2072:
2070:
2059:
2026:Pattersons Creek
1958:
1754:Freight services
1713:Construction of
1580:, hauled by two
1547:
1540:
1533:
1527:
1453:
1444:
1443:
1419:
1418:
1382:
1373:
1372:
1366:
1365:
1344:
1343:
1318:
1317:
1311:
1310:
1286:
1285:
1264:
1263:
1242:
1241:
1217:
1216:
1195:
1194:
1173:
1172:
1151:
1150:
1126:
1125:
1101:
1100:
1079:
1078:
1051:
1039:
1038:
1014:
1013:
992:
991:
967:
966:
942:
941:
920:
919:
898:
897:
876:
875:
854:
853:
832:
831:
810:
809:
788:
787:
766:
765:
744:
743:
719:
718:
697:
696:
667:
666:
660:
659:
634:
633:
627:
626:
620:
619:
595:
594:
565:
564:
555:
529:
528:
522:
521:
497:
496:
478:
463:
462:
438:
437:
431:
430:
399:
398:
390:
389:
383:
382:
353:
352:
343:
322:
321:
312:
286:
285:
248:
235:
221:
212:3% (1 in 33) in
191:
186:
30:
18:
3772:
3771:
3767:
3766:
3765:
3763:
3762:
3761:
3732:
3731:
3730:
3725:
3640:
3636:Eyrewell Forest
3604:
3558:
3509:Anti Crow River
3483:
3397:
3388:Selwyn District
3371:
3358:Mount Rolleston
3348:
3343:
3313:
3308:
3300:
3286:
3215:
3199:
3142:Kaitangata Line
3099:
2944:
2938:
2811:
2805:
2694:
2688:
2629:Mount Maunganui
2616:Kumeu–Riverhead
2578:
2561:
2519:
2463:Secondary lines
2454:
2444:Main South Line
2439:Main North Line
2428:
2391:
2386:
2329:
2317:
2305:
2293:
2285:
2280:
2274:
2261:
2255:
2242:
2236:
2223:
2217:
2204:
2198:
2185:
2179:
2166:
2162:
2157:
2156:
2148:
2141:
2131:
2130:
2126:
2116:
2114:
2105:
2104:
2100:
2090:
2088:
2083:
2082:
2078:
2068:
2066:
2061:
2060:
2056:
2051:
2046:
1934:
1838:
1756:
1733:
1628:
1622:
1570:
1569:
1568:
1551:
1525:
1497:
1484:
1473:
1457:Hokitika Branch
1445:
1425:
1420:
1411:
1402:
1374:
1367:
1345:
1330:
1319:
1312:
1292:
1287:
1272:
1265:
1250:
1243:
1223:
1218:
1203:
1196:
1174:
1159:
1152:
1132:
1127:
1107:
1102:
1087:
1080:
1065:
1040:
1020:
1015:
1000:
993:
978:
968:
948:
943:
928:
921:
906:
905:Tunnels 12 - 16
899:
884:
877:
862:
855:
840:
833:
818:
811:
796:
789:
774:
767:
752:
745:
725:
720:
698:
683:
680:Main North Line
668:
661:
646:
635:
628:
621:
601:
596:
581:
571:
566:
557:
553:
545:
538:Main South Line
530:
523:
503:
498:
489:
480:
472:Main South Line
464:
449:
444:
439:
432:
417:
410:Main South Line
402:
401:
400:
391:
384:
369:
366:Main North Line
359:
354:
345:
341:
328:
323:
314:
310:
302:
295:Main North Line
287:
270:
257:
242:
226:
208:Maximum incline
198:Electrification
189:
184:
136:
102:
44:
12:
11:
5:
3770:
3768:
3760:
3759:
3754:
3749:
3744:
3734:
3733:
3727:
3726:
3724:
3723:
3717:
3711:
3705:
3699:
3693:
3687:
3681:
3675:
3669:
3663:
3657:
3650:
3648:
3642:
3641:
3639:
3638:
3633:
3628:
3623:
3618:
3612:
3610:
3606:
3605:
3603:
3602:
3597:
3592:
3587:
3582:
3577:
3572:
3566:
3564:
3560:
3559:
3557:
3556:
3551:
3546:
3541:
3536:
3531:
3526:
3521:
3516:
3511:
3506:
3501:
3495:
3493:
3485:
3484:
3482:
3481:
3476:
3471:
3466:
3461:
3456:
3451:
3446:
3441:
3439:McLeans Island
3436:
3431:
3426:
3421:
3416:
3411:
3405:
3403:
3399:
3398:
3396:
3395:
3390:
3385:
3379:
3377:
3373:
3372:
3353:
3350:
3349:
3344:
3342:
3341:
3334:
3327:
3319:
3310:
3309:
3291:
3288:
3287:
3285:
3284:
3279:
3274:
3269:
3264:
3259:
3254:
3249:
3244:
3239:
3234:
3229:
3223:
3221:
3217:
3216:
3214:
3213:
3211:City Rail Link
3207:
3205:
3201:
3200:
3198:
3197:
3190:
3178:
3171:
3168:Sanson Tramway
3164:
3157:
3145:
3138:
3131:
3124:
3119:
3111:
3109:
3105:
3104:
3101:
3100:
3098:
3097:
3090:
3083:
3078:
3071:
3064:
3057:
3050:
3043:
3036:
3029:
3024:
3017:
3010:
3003:
2996:
2989:
2982:
2975:
2968:
2961:
2954:
2948:
2946:
2940:
2939:
2937:
2936:
2929:
2922:
2915:
2908:
2903:
2898:
2891:
2886:
2879:
2872:
2865:
2858:
2851:
2844:
2837:
2830:
2823:
2815:
2813:
2807:
2806:
2804:
2803:
2798:
2791:
2784:
2777:
2770:
2763:
2756:
2749:
2742:
2735:
2728:
2721:
2716:
2709:
2704:
2698:
2696:
2690:
2689:
2687:
2686:
2681:
2674:
2669:
2664:
2657:
2650:
2643:
2636:
2631:
2626:
2619:
2612:
2607:
2600:
2593:
2588:
2582:
2580:
2571:
2567:
2566:
2563:
2562:
2560:
2559:
2552:
2547:
2542:
2539:Nelson Section
2535:
2527:
2525:
2521:
2520:
2518:
2517:
2507:Wairarapa Line
2503:
2498:
2493:
2486:
2483:Newmarket Line
2479:
2473:
2471:
2464:
2460:
2459:
2456:
2455:
2448:Lyttelton Line
2436:
2434:
2430:
2429:
2427:
2426:
2412:
2406:
2404:
2397:
2393:
2392:
2387:
2385:
2384:
2377:
2370:
2362:
2356:
2355:
2350:
2345:
2340:
2335:
2333:. NZRLS. 2022.
2327:
2315:
2303:
2291:
2289:1969 timetable
2284:
2283:External links
2281:
2279:
2278:
2272:
2259:
2253:
2240:
2234:
2221:
2215:
2202:
2196:
2183:
2177:
2163:
2161:
2158:
2155:
2154:
2152:, p. 148.
2139:
2124:
2098:
2076:
2053:
2052:
2050:
2047:
2045:
2042:
2039:
2038:
2036:
2033:
2030:
2027:
2023:
2022:
2020:
2017:
2014:
2011:
2007:
2006:
2004:
2001:
1998:
1995:
1991:
1990:
1988:
1985:
1982:
1979:
1975:
1974:
1971:
1968:
1965:
1962:
1933:
1932:Infrastructure
1930:
1837:
1834:
1774:bridge in 1911
1755:
1752:
1732:
1729:
1666:. In 1886 the
1621:
1618:
1566:
1565:
1564:
1561:
1560:
1557:
1556:
1553:
1552:
1550:
1549:
1542:
1535:
1526:This diagram:
1524:
1521:
1520:
1517:
1516:
1514:
1512:
1510:
1508:
1506:
1504:
1501:
1500:
1498:
1489:
1487:
1485:
1480:
1478:
1475:
1474:
1469:
1468:
1460:
1459:
1450:
1448:
1446:
1439:
1437:
1435:
1432:
1431:
1426:
1423:
1421:
1414:
1412:
1409:
1407:
1404:
1403:
1398:
1397:
1394:Rewanui Branch
1389:
1388:
1386:Rapahoe Branch
1379:
1377:
1375:
1368:
1361:
1359:
1357:
1354:
1353:
1348:
1346:
1339:
1337:
1335:
1332:
1331:
1324:
1322:
1320:
1313:
1306:
1304:
1302:
1299:
1298:
1293:
1290:
1288:
1281:
1279:
1277:
1274:
1273:
1270:
1268:
1266:
1259:
1257:
1255:
1252:
1251:
1248:
1246:
1244:
1237:
1235:
1233:
1230:
1229:
1224:
1221:
1219:
1212:
1210:
1208:
1205:
1204:
1201:
1199:
1197:
1190:
1188:
1186:
1183:
1182:
1177:
1175:
1168:
1166:
1164:
1161:
1160:
1157:
1155:
1153:
1146:
1144:
1142:
1139:
1138:
1133:
1130:
1128:
1121:
1119:
1117:
1114:
1113:
1108:
1105:
1103:
1096:
1094:
1092:
1089:
1088:
1085:
1083:
1081:
1074:
1072:
1070:
1067:
1066:
1061:
1060:
1056:
1055:
1045:
1043:
1041:
1034:
1032:
1030:
1027:
1026:
1021:
1018:
1016:
1009:
1007:
1005:
1002:
1001:
998:
996:
994:
987:
985:
983:
980:
979:
973:
971:
969:
962:
960:
958:
955:
954:
949:
946:
944:
937:
935:
933:
930:
929:
926:
924:
922:
915:
913:
911:
908:
907:
904:
902:
900:
893:
891:
889:
886:
885:
882:
880:
878:
871:
869:
867:
864:
863:
861:Tunnels 8 - 10
860:
858:
856:
849:
847:
845:
842:
841:
838:
836:
834:
827:
825:
823:
820:
819:
816:
814:
812:
805:
803:
801:
798:
797:
794:
792:
790:
783:
781:
779:
776:
775:
772:
770:
768:
761:
759:
757:
754:
753:
750:
748:
746:
739:
737:
735:
732:
731:
726:
723:
721:
714:
712:
710:
707:
706:
701:
699:
692:
690:
688:
685:
684:
673:
671:
669:
662:
655:
653:
651:
648:
647:
640:
638:
636:
629:
622:
615:
613:
611:
608:
607:
602:
599:
597:
590:
588:
586:
583:
582:
574:
572:
569:
567:
560:
558:
552:
550:
547:
546:
535:
533:
531:
524:
517:
515:
513:
510:
509:
504:
501:
499:
492:
490:
487:
485:
482:
481:
469:
467:
465:
458:
456:
454:
451:
450:
447:
445:
442:
440:
433:
426:
424:
422:
419:
418:
407:
405:
403:
394:
393:
392:
385:
378:
376:
374:
371:
370:
362:
360:
357:
355:
348:
346:
340:
338:
335:
334:
329:
326:
324:
317:
315:
309:
307:
304:
303:
292:
290:
288:
281:
279:
277:
274:
273:
271:
262:
260:
258:
253:
251:
244:
243:
238:
228:
227:
224:
217:
216:
210:
204:
203:
200:
194:
193:
181:
175:
174:
171:
167:
166:
163:
159:
158:
154:
153:
150:
146:
145:
141:
140:
131:
127:
126:
121:
117:
116:
113:
109:
108:
104:
103:
101:
100:
95:
89:
87:
83:
82:
73:
69:
68:
63:
59:
58:
55:
51:
50:
46:
45:
31:
23:
22:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
3769:
3758:
3755:
3753:
3750:
3748:
3745:
3743:
3740:
3739:
3737:
3722:
3718:
3716:
3712:
3710:
3706:
3704:
3700:
3698:
3694:
3692:
3688:
3686:
3682:
3680:
3676:
3674:
3670:
3668:
3664:
3662:
3658:
3656:
3652:
3651:
3649:
3647:
3643:
3637:
3634:
3632:
3629:
3627:
3626:Oxford Branch
3624:
3622:
3619:
3617:
3614:
3613:
3611:
3607:
3601:
3598:
3596:
3593:
3591:
3588:
3586:
3585:Lake Marymere
3583:
3581:
3578:
3576:
3573:
3571:
3570:Lake Grasmere
3568:
3567:
3565:
3561:
3555:
3552:
3550:
3549:Kaiapoi River
3547:
3545:
3542:
3540:
3537:
3535:
3532:
3530:
3527:
3525:
3524:Poulter River
3522:
3520:
3517:
3515:
3512:
3510:
3507:
3505:
3502:
3500:
3497:
3496:
3494:
3491:
3486:
3480:
3477:
3475:
3472:
3470:
3467:
3465:
3462:
3460:
3457:
3455:
3454:Coutts Island
3452:
3450:
3447:
3445:
3442:
3440:
3437:
3435:
3432:
3430:
3427:
3425:
3422:
3420:
3417:
3415:
3412:
3410:
3407:
3406:
3404:
3400:
3394:
3391:
3389:
3386:
3384:
3381:
3380:
3378:
3374:
3370:
3369:Pacific Ocean
3367:
3363:
3362:Southern Alps
3359:
3356:
3351:
3347:
3340:
3335:
3333:
3328:
3326:
3321:
3320:
3317:
3307:
3303:
3298:
3294:
3289:
3283:
3280:
3278:
3275:
3273:
3270:
3268:
3265:
3263:
3260:
3258:
3255:
3253:
3250:
3248:
3245:
3243:
3240:
3238:
3235:
3233:
3230:
3228:
3225:
3224:
3222:
3218:
3212:
3209:
3208:
3206:
3202:
3196:
3195:
3191:
3188:
3187:
3182:
3179:
3177:
3176:
3172:
3170:
3169:
3165:
3163:
3162:
3158:
3155:
3154:
3149:
3146:
3144:
3143:
3139:
3137:
3136:
3132:
3130:
3129:
3125:
3123:
3120:
3118:
3117:
3113:
3112:
3110:
3108:Private lines
3106:
3096:
3095:
3091:
3089:
3088:
3084:
3082:
3079:
3077:
3076:
3072:
3070:
3069:
3065:
3063:
3062:
3058:
3056:
3055:
3051:
3049:
3048:
3044:
3042:
3041:
3037:
3035:
3034:
3030:
3028:
3027:Port Chalmers
3025:
3023:
3022:
3018:
3016:
3015:
3011:
3009:
3008:
3004:
3002:
3001:
2997:
2995:
2994:
2990:
2988:
2987:
2983:
2981:
2980:
2976:
2974:
2973:
2969:
2967:
2966:
2962:
2960:
2959:
2958:Catlins River
2955:
2953:
2950:
2949:
2947:
2941:
2935:
2934:
2930:
2928:
2927:
2923:
2921:
2920:
2916:
2914:
2913:
2909:
2907:
2904:
2902:
2901:Hokitika/Ross
2899:
2897:
2896:
2892:
2890:
2887:
2885:
2884:
2880:
2878:
2877:
2873:
2871:
2870:
2866:
2864:
2863:
2859:
2857:
2856:
2852:
2850:
2849:
2845:
2843:
2842:
2838:
2836:
2835:
2831:
2829:
2828:
2827:Cape Foulwind
2824:
2822:
2821:
2817:
2816:
2814:
2808:
2802:
2799:
2797:
2796:
2792:
2790:
2789:
2785:
2783:
2782:
2778:
2776:
2775:
2771:
2769:
2768:
2764:
2762:
2761:
2757:
2755:
2754:
2750:
2748:
2747:
2743:
2741:
2740:
2736:
2734:
2733:
2729:
2727:
2726:
2722:
2720:
2717:
2715:
2714:
2710:
2708:
2705:
2703:
2700:
2699:
2697:
2691:
2685:
2682:
2680:
2679:
2675:
2673:
2670:
2668:
2665:
2663:
2662:
2658:
2656:
2655:
2651:
2649:
2648:
2644:
2642:
2641:
2637:
2635:
2632:
2630:
2627:
2625:
2624:
2620:
2618:
2617:
2613:
2611:
2608:
2606:
2605:
2601:
2599:
2598:
2594:
2592:
2589:
2587:
2584:
2583:
2581:
2575:
2572:
2568:
2558:
2557:
2553:
2551:
2548:
2546:
2543:
2541:
2540:
2536:
2534:
2533:
2529:
2528:
2526:
2522:
2515:
2514:
2509:
2508:
2504:
2502:
2499:
2497:
2494:
2492:
2491:
2487:
2485:
2484:
2480:
2478:
2475:
2474:
2472:
2468:
2465:
2461:
2453:
2449:
2445:
2441:
2440:
2435:
2431:
2424:
2423:
2418:
2417:
2413:
2411:
2408:
2407:
2405:
2401:
2398:
2394:
2390:
2383:
2378:
2376:
2371:
2369:
2364:
2363:
2360:
2354:
2351:
2349:
2346:
2344:
2341:
2339:
2336:
2332:
2328:
2324:
2320:
2316:
2312:
2308:
2304:
2300:
2296:
2292:
2290:
2287:
2286:
2282:
2275:
2273:0-473-05465-5
2269:
2265:
2260:
2256:
2250:
2246:
2241:
2237:
2235:1-86934-013-2
2231:
2227:
2222:
2218:
2216:1-86934-046-9
2212:
2208:
2203:
2199:
2197:0-908876-73-4
2193:
2189:
2184:
2180:
2178:0-9597832-8-8
2174:
2170:
2165:
2164:
2159:
2151:
2150:Sinclair 1987
2146:
2144:
2140:
2135:
2128:
2125:
2113:. 2 July 1928
2112:
2108:
2102:
2099:
2086:
2080:
2077:
2064:
2058:
2055:
2048:
2043:
2037:
2034:
2031:
2028:
2025:
2024:
2021:
2018:
2015:
2012:
2010:Slovens Creek
2009:
2008:
2005:
2002:
1999:
1996:
1993:
1992:
1989:
1986:
1983:
1980:
1977:
1976:
1972:
1969:
1966:
1963:
1960:
1959:
1956:
1953:
1951:
1943:
1938:
1931:
1929:
1927:
1923:
1919:
1915:
1911:
1906:
1904:
1900:
1896:
1893:and then the
1892:
1887:
1885:
1881:
1876:
1874:
1870:
1867:
1863:
1859:
1858:Arthur's Pass
1855:
1847:
1842:
1835:
1833:
1831:
1827:
1826:Stockton Mine
1822:
1820:
1815:
1811:
1806:
1804:
1800:
1796:
1791:
1789:
1785:
1781:
1773:
1768:
1760:
1753:
1751:
1749:
1745:
1741:
1737:
1730:
1728:
1726:
1721:
1720:Arthur's Pass
1716:
1711:
1707:
1699:
1695:
1692:
1687:
1685:
1679:
1677:
1673:
1669:
1665:
1664:Southern Alps
1661:
1657:
1653:
1648:
1644:
1642:
1632:
1627:
1619:
1617:
1615:
1611:
1607:
1603:
1599:
1595:
1591:
1583:
1579:
1574:
1548:
1543:
1541:
1536:
1534:
1529:
1528:
1523:
1522:
1515:
1513:
1511:
1509:
1507:
1505:
1503:
1502:
1496:
1492:
1488:
1486:
1483:
1479:
1476:
1466:
1463:(formerly to
1462:
1461:
1458:
1455:
1454:
1447:
1438:
1436:
1433:
1430:
1422:
1413:
1408:
1405:
1395:
1391:
1390:
1387:
1384:
1383:
1376:
1360:
1358:
1355:
1352:
1347:
1338:
1336:
1333:
1329:
1328:
1321:
1305:
1303:
1300:
1297:
1289:
1280:
1278:
1275:
1267:
1258:
1256:
1253:
1245:
1236:
1234:
1231:
1228:
1220:
1211:
1209:
1206:
1198:
1189:
1187:
1184:
1181:
1176:
1167:
1165:
1162:
1154:
1145:
1143:
1140:
1137:
1129:
1120:
1118:
1115:
1112:
1104:
1095:
1093:
1090:
1082:
1073:
1071:
1068:
1059:5.323 mi
1058:
1057:
1054:8.566 km
1053:
1052:
1048:
1042:
1033:
1031:
1028:
1025:
1024:Arthur's Pass
1017:
1008:
1006:
1003:
995:
986:
984:
981:
976:
970:
961:
959:
956:
953:
945:
936:
934:
931:
923:
914:
912:
909:
901:
892:
890:
887:
879:
870:
868:
865:
857:
848:
846:
843:
835:
826:
824:
821:
817:Tunnels 5 - 7
813:
804:
802:
799:
795:Tunnels 2 - 4
791:
782:
780:
777:
769:
760:
758:
755:
747:
738:
736:
733:
730:
722:
713:
711:
708:
705:
700:
691:
689:
686:
682:
681:
677:
676:Oxford Branch
670:
654:
652:
649:
645:
644:
637:
614:
612:
609:
606:
598:
589:
587:
584:
580:
579:
568:
559:
551:
548:
544:
543:
539:
532:
516:
514:
511:
508:
500:
491:
486:
483:
479:
477:
473:
466:
457:
455:
452:
441:
425:
423:
420:
416:
415:
411:
404:
377:
375:
372:
368:
367:
356:
347:
339:
336:
333:
325:
316:
308:
305:
301:
300:
296:
289:
280:
278:
275:
269:
265:
261:
259:
256:
252:
249:
246:
245:
241:
237:
236:
233:
230:
229:
223:
218:
215:
211:
209:
205:
201:
199:
195:
190:1,067 mm
187:
182:
180:
176:
172:
168:
164:
160:
155:
151:
147:
142:
139:
135:
132:
128:
125:
122:
118:
114:
110:
105:
99:
96:
94:
91:
90:
88:
84:
81:
77:
74:
70:
67:
64:
60:
56:
52:
47:
42:
39:
35:
29:
24:
19:
16:
3631:Midland Line
3630:
3600:Lake Rubicon
3595:Lake Letitia
3580:Lake Pearson
3534:Broken River
3519:Hawdon River
3514:Bealey River
3474:Spencerville
3365:
3354:
3301:
3296:
3292:
3282:Waipu Branch
3192:
3184:
3173:
3166:
3159:
3153:Midland Line
3152:
3151:
3140:
3133:
3126:
3114:
3092:
3085:
3073:
3066:
3059:
3052:
3045:
3038:
3031:
3019:
3012:
3005:
2998:
2991:
2984:
2977:
2970:
2963:
2956:
2945:South Island
2931:
2924:
2917:
2910:
2893:
2881:
2876:Mount Somers
2874:
2867:
2862:Little River
2860:
2853:
2846:
2839:
2832:
2825:
2818:
2812:South Island
2793:
2786:
2779:
2772:
2765:
2758:
2751:
2746:Mount Egmont
2744:
2737:
2732:Johnsonville
2730:
2723:
2711:
2695:North Island
2676:
2659:
2652:
2645:
2638:
2621:
2614:
2602:
2595:
2579:North Island
2570:Branch lines
2554:
2537:
2532:Midland Line
2531:
2530:
2524:South Island
2511:
2505:
2488:
2481:
2470:North Island
2437:
2433:South Island
2420:
2414:
2403:North Island
2263:
2244:
2225:
2206:
2187:
2168:
2160:Bibliography
2127:
2115:. Retrieved
2110:
2101:
2089:. Retrieved
2079:
2067:. Retrieved
2057:
1994:Broken River
1954:
1950:Otira Tunnel
1947:
1926:Otira Tunnel
1918:North Island
1907:
1888:
1877:
1851:
1836:Motive power
1823:
1807:
1792:
1777:
1734:
1715:Otira Tunnel
1712:
1708:
1706:the stream.
1704:
1688:
1680:
1656:Julius Vogel
1649:
1645:
1637:
1610:Otira tunnel
1602:South Island
1590:Midland line
1589:
1587:
1584:locomotives.
1325:
1047:Otira Tunnel
674:
641:
578:Midland Line
577:
575:
536:
470:
408:
363:
332:Christchurch
293:
231:
214:Otira Tunnel
76:South Island
21:Midland Line
15:
3590:Lake Hawdon
3539:Kowai River
3499:White River
3424:Springfield
3366:Flows into:
3087:Walton Park
2933:Whitecliffs
2912:Southbridge
2906:Seddonville
2834:Conns Creek
2707:Castlecliff
2422:Kapiti Line
1862:Springfield
1786:. In 2003,
1782:factory at
1740:TranzAlpine
1738:train, the
1725:World War I
1691:Waimakariri
1614:TranzAlpine
1606:New Zealand
1578:TranzAlpine
729:Springfield
179:Track gauge
162:Line length
130:Operator(s)
80:New Zealand
3736:Categories
3715:Rangitaiki
3679:Rangitīkei
3575:Lake Sarah
3554:Styx River
3544:Eyre River
3504:Crow River
3490:confluence
3469:Brooklands
3419:Kowai Bush
3040:Shag Point
2719:Gracefield
2604:Glen Afton
2591:Dargaville
2396:Main lines
2044:References
1942:Inchbonnie
1880:roundhouse
1788:Tranz Rail
1772:Cass River
1652:West Coast
1624:See also:
1392:(formerly
1351:Stillwater
1180:Inchbonnie
115:Heavy Rail
38:Tranz Rail
3667:Whanganui
3529:Esk River
3434:Courtenay
3429:Sheffield
3061:Tuatapere
2979:Hedgehope
2855:Ferrymead
2753:Moutohora
2586:Cambridge
2049:Citations
1978:Staircase
1884:turntable
1814:Lyttelton
1641:Vogel Era
1598:Greymouth
1594:Rolleston
1429:Greymouth
1271:Tunnel 18
704:Sheffield
576:start of
507:Rolleston
414:Lyttelton
364:start of
225:Route map
173:Main line
170:Character
157:Technical
98:Greymouth
93:Rolleston
3721:Manawatū
3302:See also
3033:Roxburgh
3007:Mossburn
2986:Kingston
2972:Fernhill
2801:Wanganui
2725:Greytown
2672:Tāneatua
2647:Onehunga
2634:Murupara
2610:Kinleith
2323:Archived
2311:Archived
2299:Archived
2117:30 April
1973:Remarks
1922:DX class
1914:DC class
1910:DJ class
1903:ED class
1899:EW class
1846:DX class
1784:Hokitika
1672:Westport
1582:DC class
751:Tunnel 1
605:Darfield
134:KiwiRail
66:KiwiRail
49:Overview
3703:Waitaki
3685:Mataura
3655:Waikato
3479:Kairaki
3464:Kaiapoi
3449:Belfast
3444:Eyreton
3355:Source:
3297:Italics
3094:Wyndham
3075:Waikaka
3068:Waikaia
3054:Tokanui
3047:Tapanui
3000:Moeraki
2926:Waimate
2895:Rewanui
2889:Rapahoe
2869:Methven
2848:Fairlie
2841:Eyreton
2795:Waitara
2774:Raetihi
2767:Opunake
2760:Ngatapa
2739:Melling
2702:Ahuriri
2667:Rotorua
2654:Onerahi
2640:Okaihau
2623:Manukau
2091:3 March
2069:3 March
1970:Opened
1967:Length
1964:Height
1869:G class
1866:Garratt
1854:K class
1620:History
1600:in the
1136:Jackson
144:History
107:Service
86:Termini
3673:Taieri
3459:Kainga
3409:Bealey
3081:Wairio
3021:Outram
2883:Oxford
2788:Te Aro
2781:Taonui
2713:Foxton
2678:Thames
2510:(inc.
2446:(inc.
2419:(inc.
2270:
2251:
2232:
2213:
2194:
2175:
1803:tonnes
1799:hopper
1676:Nelson
1296:Kokiri
977:bridge
542:Timaru
299:Picton
240:Legend
232:
149:Opened
120:System
72:Locale
54:Status
3709:Ōreti
3691:Waiau
2993:Kurow
2952:Bluff
2943:Lower
2919:Waiau
2810:Upper
2693:Lower
2577:Upper
2134:Rails
1961:Name
1684:Otira
1472:
1451:
1410:212.0
1401:
1380:
1227:Moana
1111:Otira
1064:
1049:
62:Owner
3719:12:
3713:11:
3707:10:
3414:Cass
3293:Bold
2661:Opua
2442:and
2268:ISBN
2249:ISBN
2230:ISBN
2211:ISBN
2192:ISBN
2173:ISBN
2119:2017
2093:2020
2071:2020
2035:1906
2019:1910
2003:1906
1987:1906
1901:and
1860:and
1844:Two
1596:and
1588:The
1576:The
1546:edit
1539:talk
1532:view
1465:Ross
1424:4:30
1291:3:48
1222:3:32
1131:3:07
1106:2:48
1019:2:27
952:Cass
947:1:57
724:1:00
600:0:38
570:0:20
502:0:19
488:31.9
443:0:01
358:0:01
327:0:00
112:Type
32:Two
3701:9:
3695:8:
3689:7:
3683:6:
3677:5:
3671:4:
3665:3:
3659:2:
3653:1:
1674:to
1604:of
1567:Map
678:to
556:0.0
540:to
412:to
344:0.0
313:0.5
297:to
36:in
3738::
3360:,
3304::
2142:^
2109:.
1928:.
1832:.
1805:.
1795:DX
1748:AK
1744:DX
1495:mm
1482:km
268:mm
255:km
78:,
3492:)
3364:—
3338:e
3331:t
3324:v
3189:)
3183:(
3156:)
3150:(
2516:)
2425:)
2381:e
2374:t
2367:v
2276:.
2257:.
2238:.
2219:.
2200:.
2181:.
2132:"
2121:.
2095:.
2073:.
1493::
1491:h
1467:)
1396:)
554:0
342:0
311:0
266::
264:h
192:)
188:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
