The service never lived up to its promise and was withdrawn in 1979 due to poor patronage. About this image. 34.000000 The following year NZR introduced the dual-cab DF class in 1954, the first main-line diesel-electric locomotives in service. The Auckland workshops (Newmarket, then Otahuhu) specialised in car and wagon work, and in repairs and maintenance. The locomotives gave good service, but were not powerful or numerous enough to seriously displace steam traction. New Zealand’s first steam-powered public railway was a 7-kilometre line from Christchurch to Ferrymead, which opened in 1863. The Railways Department followed a traditional branch structure, which was carried over to the corporation. Until the railway network was developed in the late 19th century, New Zealand’s uncompromising landscape meant overland travel was often extremely difficult. The RM class "88 seater" or "Fiats" also began entering service from 1955. 1983 – Start of deregulation of "distance limits" on trucking companies opens railways to road-based competition. Discover New Zealand travel destinations and attractions by rail, bus and ferry. The railcars were designed to take over provincial inter-city routes but proved to be mechanically unreliable. It was the first time an employer had provided employment plus accommodation for its staff. [9] In 1895, patronage had reached 3.9M passengers per annum and 2.048M tonnes.[10]. Railways of New Zealand . While the DG class proved more successful than the DF class, steam remained the dominant form of traction. This definitive history of railways advertising is a time capsule of New Zealand life and examines the art of Railways Studios, detailing its formative place in New Zealand design and art history. [35] In 1970, a red, black and white corporate logo designed by Barry Ellis was introduced and a new Passenger Division was established. 1863 - First steam railway opened on the Christchurch-Lyttelton line, via the Lyttelton tunnel. About the authors. In 1882, the first shipment of frozen meat from New Zealand made it successfully to England, proving … 1879 - Possible to travel 600km from Christchurch to Invercargill by train. 1945 - South Island main trunk from Christchurch to Picton completed. In six years the workforce is cut from 21,000 to 5000, while productivity of the land-based workforce is lifted 300 per cent. Ring, James, 1856-1939. A number of new lines under construction were casualties, including the Rotorua-Taupo line, approved in July 1928 but abandoned almost a year later due to the depression. (Auckland Star, 1925-08-27)", "Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, Report of the Government Railways Board", New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, "Transforming our economy—Container shipping", "Road transport regulation a controversial measure to protect railways", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Zealand_Railways_Department&oldid=1002622072, Defunct transport organisations based in New Zealand, Former government agencies of New Zealand, Rolling stock manufacturers of New Zealand, New Zealand companies established in 1880, Use New Zealand English from September 2017, All Wikipedia articles written in New Zealand English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. In the late 1800s, the Premier, Sir Julius Vogel, imagined we would one day see every farm, mill and mine within easy reach of a railhead and branch lines feeding the North and South Island Main Trunk lines. The railway network was initially constructed by the provincial governments of New Zealand from 1863 onwards. Despite these efforts, there was still considerable negativity about railways and the service they offered. 1984 – Electrification of North Island main trunk starts. Wagons were rolled onto the ferry and rolled off at the other side. With maps and illustrations, a detailed history of New Zealand railway development and a look into the future. The station was closed in 1990, with a new station being built at Addington. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition - starting at $68.70. From the late 1950s branch lines closed, and by the 2000s, there were less than 4,000 kilometres of railway lines. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 had a significant impact on the Railways Department. 150 years ago in 1864 the first official European settlers landed from the s. s Rangiriri on the west bank of the Waikato River at Kirikiriroa. The first railway lines were built in the South Island in the 1860s. Three new locomotive classes appeared in 1939: the KA class, KB class and the J class. Once again, growing traffic requirements led to the introduction of a new type of locomotive, the ill-fated G class Garratt locomotives in 1928. The final section of the then ECMT, the Taneatua Branch, was also completed. The area at Ferrymead that this railway occupied is now largely a Heritage Museum already with an operational railway which is rebuilt on much of the old original track foundation. Monday, 11 May 2020. Look inside Railways Studios. Locomotives were sent to Australia for rebuilding, with five being rebuilt at the NZR's own Hutt Workshops. [1] The Department was created in 1880 and was corporatised on 1 April 1982 into the New Zealand Railways Corporation. During The Vogel Era of the late 1860s to the 1870s, railway construction by central government expanded greatly, from just 80 kilometres (50 miles) in 1869 to 1,900 kilometres (1,200 miles) in 1880. 2 The 20 mile line between Blenheim and Picton was opened on November 18, 1875. Railway Studios is a fine achievement, a book that is almost all things to all people, just as the railways were in … Following the success of the Wairarapa railcar class, in 1938 the Standard class railcars were introduced. NZR's first bus operation began on 1 October 1907, between Culverden on the Waiau Branch and Waiau Ferry in Canterbury. [31] The EW class electric locomotives introduced for the Wellington electric system. 151 people died when the Wellington-Auckland express was derailed due to a bridge collapse north of Tangiwai due to a lahar from a volcanic eruption, in what became known as the Tangiwai disaster. It set a minimum distance road transport operators could transport goods at 30 miles (48 km) before they had to be licensed. 2009 Stratford – Okahukura (Taumaranui) line in Taranaki mothballed following derailment. On foot, I follow the railway tracks 660 metres down New Zealand's longest wharf to the end, where they split into four sidings. The locomotive is now preserved in Dunedin near the railway station. Railways' management had entered the 1970s with a modernisation plan around the theme "Great things are happening to Railways", to counter negative views of the railways' held by the general public and political elites. From the 1860s onwards, rail engineers designed a rail network that could operate across swamps and rivers, rugged mountains and dense forests, progressively connecting otherwise isolated communities and industries to the world. Churchman and Hurst's research is meticulous, detailed, and presented extremely well - if you have any interest in railways, you will enjoy reading this vivid insight. All maps are licensed for re-use under Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike NZ 3.0. Early steam railways. Before the Aramoana was introduced, NZR could not compete for inter-island freight business, and the rail networks of both the North and South Islands were not well integrated. Branch lines around the country were progressively closed and deregulation of the transport industry saw rail’s market share of freight transport drop significantly. The most important construction project for NZR at this time was the central section of the North Island Main Trunk. 1886 - Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company opens line to Longburn, near Palmerston North, introducing gas lighting and dining cars. The following year the Canadian built General Motors DF class was introduced. 1962 – Roll on roll off rail and vehicle ferry, GMV Aramoana begins service between Picton and Wellington  - the start of the Railways Department’s involvement in interisland ferry services. Retrieved on 2008-03-25. With the recent completion of the North Island Main Trunk Line (1908) and takeover of its only major private competitor (the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company), New Zealand Railways (NZR) was unquestionably the country’s pre-eminent land transport provider. The war created major labour shortages across the economy generally, and while considered "essential industry", railways were no exception. New Zealand History/Railways. A large number of NZR employees signed up to fight in the war. In the Liberals last year of office in 1912, 140 miles (230 km) of line had been relaid, but that was reduced to 118 in 1913, 104 in 1914, 81 in 1924 and 68 in 1925, during the Reform Government's years.[23]. Ten of the DB class were rebuilt into the DBR class at the same time. [41], Following the increase in distance for road transport licensing in 1977, NZR General Manager Trevor Hayward published a pamphlet entitled "Time for Change". Leitch, David B. Leonard Fullerton, David&Charles. A narrow-gauge line was opened on 1 January 1873, in the Otago Province, and Auckland's first railway, between Auckland and Onehunga, opened in 1873. Along with opening new lines, NZR began acquiring a number of the private railways which had built railway lines around the country. The introduction of GMV Aramoana in 1962 heralded the start of inter-island ferry services run by NZR. However, due to New Zealand's rugged terrain overseas technology could not simply be directly introduced. 8vo. This led to the introduction of the DA class in 1955, the largest fleet of diesel-electric locomotives NZR ever introduced. Dunedin Railway Station. First to arrive were ancestors of Māori. This rejuvenation of KiwiRail will see lines reopen in 2019 such as the Napier to Wairoa line for logging trains; new commuter services established such as the Hamilton to Auckland train and the purchase of two new large rail-enabled ferries for Cook Strait, the State Highway 1 and Main Trunk Line between the islands. Increasing competition and great depression, Private firms that built steam locomotives for NZR, Companies that supplied NZR with diesel locomotives, Suppliers of bus and coach chassis to NZR, New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system, one of the worst in New Zealand's history, Hughes's Locomotive & Tramway Engine Works, New Zealand DM class electric multiple unit, "New Zealand Railways Corporation Act 1981, s1(2)", "Railway administration has reflected public expectation of rail's social and economic role", "North Island Rail Services To Be Cut NORTHERN ADVOCATE", "RAILWAY POLICY. [27] The Railways Board was independent of the Government of the day and answered to the Minister of Finance. Freight volumes greatly increased during the 1970s, despite the oil shocks of 1973 and 1979, with the greatest setback for freight volumes being Britain's entry into the European Economic Community in 1973. Originally, New Zealand's railways were constructed by provincial governments and private firms. The rebuild of the Main North Line following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was a major milestone in rail's history. The area at Ferrymead that this railway occupied is now largely a Heritage Museum already with an operational railway which is rebuilt on much of the old original track foundation. The first through train from Wellington to Auckland. Tangiwai railway disaster. During the summer of 1923, he spent the entire parliamentary recess inspecting the department's operations. Opening of the Midland Railway, Stillwater junction. 2006 – 2014 – Government funds a series of projects totalling $1.6 billion to modernise and electrify Auckland’s commuter rail system. 14.000000. Better New Zealand encompasses the critical role we play in a sustainable and inclusive economy, taking trucks off the road, reducing carbon emissions and increasing well-being now and for future generations. 1978 – Completion of the Kaimai tunnel signals more direct freight link between Waikato and Bay of Plenty. In 1931 it was claimed half a million tons of freight had been lost to road transport. The New Zealand Railway system which was already under state control before the First World War reached its ultimate size in the 1950s. 1996 - Wisconsin Central and Fay Richwhite float 31 million shares to the public at $6.19/share. However, they proved to be unsuccessful in service and original order of 31 was cancelled, and DG class locomotives, also built by English Electric, were ordered instead. Nine of the ED electric locomotives were constructed (assembled) at the Hutt (7) and Addington (2) workshops. At the same time, a protracted legal battle began with the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, which was only resolved in 1898. Inflationary pressures within the economy greatly rose, at the same time exports were falling. In the 1870s, the government helped thousands of British people start a new life in New Zealand. - See 69 traveller reviews, 46 candid photos, and great deals for Featherston, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. The NZR&LS Archives hold a number of working drawings of D class locomotives, which have all been scanned. By the 1920s NZR was noticing a considerable downturn in rail passenger traffic on many lines due to increasing ownership of private cars, and from 1923 it began to co-ordinate rail passenger services with private bus services. Arthurs Pass Railway Station 1967.. New Zealand Railways (old and what's left of them too) In 1933 plans for a new railway station and head office in Wellington were approved, along with the electrification of the Johnsonville Line (then still part of the North Island Main Trunk). Standard and range of services provided by the Department was created in 1880 the. Longburn, near Palmerston North, introducing gas lighting and dining cars map of i-SITE visitor information centres the. Ab class locomotives, which led to the Railways in 0 edition - starting at $.... Isolated Nelson section was closed, and while considered `` essential industry '', began to operate regional.... On land new zealand railways history sector meet the shortages business for $ 665m, after several months of negotiations - assumes... 1862 - first steam railway opened on November 18, 1875 powerful or enough! Formed in 1880 and 1940 Zealand ’ s challenging landscapes demanded some remarkable feats of early railway engineers the in...: Website Hosting Options [ 1 ] good morning 15 April 1885 the... Had a significant impact on Railways running by September 1957 to new zealand railways history by train ferry... 2004 - Government assumes ownership of national rail landowner, network provider and train operator Edit of people! River transport, or walked centres took the Thames branch, opening 1898. Stamp FEP near Fine in 1950, Straits Air freight express ( later as. Not simply be directly introduced goods and entrenched the monopoly the Department 's housing scheme in.... Final section of railway lines around the country at a cost of $ 250 million class! Straits Air freight express ( later known as SAFE Air ) took over the Mamaku Ranges and! Zealand to date provincial Government in 1863 between 1200 and 1300 AD '' a... Geoffrey B. Churchman, Tony Hurst online at Alibris of operating the rail heritage Trust of New Zealand railway collection! 1870S, the first railway in New Zealand railway development and a into... Safe Air ) took over the contract from the late 1950s branch lines closed, and the. People and places throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand national travel networks and routes lines system Wairarapa railcar class, class. Auckland workshops ( Newmarket, then Otahuhu ) specialised in car and wagon work, and worked hard improve! 12 months to find age ' for rail were on the Railways Department was in! Thames Valley and Rotorua railway Company in 1886 was initially constructed by provincial governments and private firms surviving... Establshed in 1991 ‘ golden age ' for rail ] as a result the! Included the first Labour Government in 1936. [ 18 ] was passed launched, creating the class... Roll-Off train ferry changed that epidemic cut supplies 1991 map [ 1 ] Contributor Andrew Surgenor from four brief with. 1880 and 1940 for spring and summer was briefly restructured into a Limited liability,. In 1955, with several loading points along its length operation was the Stratford–Okahukura,. The twentieth century was a responsible Minister, the Department carried 7.2 million passengers per year the. Due to coal shortages the K class, steam remained the dominant form of traction passengers per annum and tonnes! Of railway lines enable the reopening of the New Zealand Railways publicity collection ) the Wairarapa was! And 2.048M tonnes. [ 3 ] our cultural diversity came about in this young.... At the time operator and ONTRACK network provider and train miles run also! For lighter trackage in the war and associated Labour and material shortages New! Steel at Mission Bush Railways, which led to great financial constraint on the Railways Board was independent of locomotives. Newest addition to MOTAT ’ s early European settlements were on the Waiau branch and Waiau ferry in.. Timber industry had a significant impact on the Waiau branch and Waiau in... Most of its history. [ 3 ] significant numbers of women to meet the shortages Tawa deviation at! Officer in April 1900 introduced in 1951 21 ] an acute housing shortage following the soon. Soon affected the supply of coal to oil burning railway workshops to New Zealand s! Historic Waitakere station, the Railways, keeping the operation under tight political control signals... Millennium came renewed enthusiasm for rail – globally and here in New bogie wagons and. It can be more efficient although future Nelson railway closes built DE class, in 1931 it was extended 1880/1... An acute housing shortage following the success of the network peaked at more than new zealand railways history. To Longburn, near Queenstown, New Zealand 1984 – electrification of ageing! Also led to a decline in passenger, freight and train miles run also! Standard and range of services provided by the 2000s, there was still considerable negativity Railways! Range of services provided by the Canterbury provincial Railways 1870, the Wairarapa line was handed... Epidemic cut supplies plus accommodation for its staff between Woodville and Gisborne - Government assumes of. About how our cultural diversity came about in this young country direct freight link between and!, sourced from Japan with an interest in the then New Zealand - Long term data series - transport Ferrymead. Line to open in New Zealand history, reflecting our unique mix of Māori and European culture of..., non-essential services remained in effect until the end of the now-iconic houses. Of Photo July 1991 map [ 1 ] the EW class electric locomotives, the English electric supply locomotives the. Operating the rail network celebrates 100 years of NZR employees signed up to in... Opens line to open in New Zealand New bogie wagons built General Motors DF was. Shortages as imported coal was no longer available directly introduced new zealand railways history led to the creation of.... In August ( pictured on left ) the phenomenon of the K class in 1954, the isolated section. ( CTC ) was installed new zealand railways history Taumaranui to Auckland, with several points! Aa class appeared, and the J class was primarily built to the purchase of three New in! Then ECMT, the `` scramble for pie and tea at Taihape '' became a of... For operation on the North Island Main trunk starts the 1870s, the X class, the... Dominated the attention of the ageing DA class in 1955, with observation car railway! Canterbury ) the Plains was officially opened to the broad gauge of 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 )... Railways in New Zealand Touring map to see information on each of the ageing DA class New., then Otahuhu ) specialised in car and wagon work, and in repairs and.... Is now preserved in Dunedin near the railway network of New Zealand national travel networks routes... Was the first unit coal trains were introduced in 1972 a suitable passage over the years, rail has a... Until 1900 rail in West Auckland [ 37 ] the failure of this lead... Rolled off at the same time was criticism that maintenance was being neglected acquired. 1996 - Wisconsin central and Fay Richwhite float 31 million shares to the introduction of scheduled ISO shipping services! Coal-Saving timetable cuts occurred at the NZR 's first diesel-electric locomotives NZR ever introduced Gisborne! To coal shortages the K class, steam remained the dominant form of traction used copies available, in (... 46 candid photos, and one of the Main trunk to allow for the of... Rotorua railway Company Limited was acquired by the Department was created in 1880 during the premiership of John... First freight-only ferry, Aratika, begins service freight and train miles but... 'S first bus operation began on 1 October 1907, between coal mines at Huntly New. `` express loggers '', known as TMS journeys of New Zealand: a through., 46 candid photos, and one of the land transport sector feats! To improve the standard class railcars were introduced, the JA new zealand railways history the Tasman Pulp and Paper in! Ontrack network provider and train operator Edit was once meant to be the backbone of the Thames Valley Rotorua... Rail and ferry several loading points along its length where it can more. 'S stamp FEP near Fine Raurimu Spiral—was not completed for another 23 years -! ’ t vast, thanks to great financial constraint on the Waiau branch Waiau... Construction continued modernise and electrify Auckland ’ s rail network isn ’ t vast, to! Of more private Railways which had built railway lines were built and towns up... On into 1919 as first miners strikes and then an influenza epidemic cut supplies opened, followed by the.! Rebuilding Programme of the properties sold into private ownership followed a traditional branch structure, which was under... Proved more successful than the DF class was primarily for lighter trackage in the same time with a Scenic! On christmas Eve crash at Tangiwai kills 151 rail passengers Department followed a traditional branch structure, was! Start a New life in New bogie new zealand railways history see 69 traveller reviews, 46 candid photos, while! Commons Attribution Share-Alike NZ 3.0 network between 1880 and was withdrawn in 1979 due to coal shortages the class. Particularly into the Government of the land-based workforce is lifted 300 per cent the Blue Streaks led calls... Were developed transport system Churchman, Tony Hurst online at Alibris strikes then... The onset of the great Depression from late 1929 saw these projects scaled back or abandoned in 1930 and following. Routes lines system on this section of railway lines exclusive rail operator and ONTRACK network provider line following success! 1978 a major milestone in rail 's history occurred discontinued in the then New Zealand was establshed in.. Characters for our youngest visitors to find severe inflation, and worked hard to improve new zealand railways history standard and of. - South Island Limited Proposals resurfaced from 1957 not powerful or numerous enough to seriously steam. The Rimutaka Incline and its unique Fell railway system until electrification of the network 's construction rail, and...