The Society was formed in 1944 by enthusiasts interested in the then New Zealand Railways. Membership is open to all with an interest in the New Zealand Railway system both old and new. Members can join a magazine and photo distribution group. Member groups meet in most citys where talks, films and other activities can be enjoyed. We are active in restoring locomotives and rolling stock which we own.
The 2018 desk calendar is now ready. This years cover photo view shows RM 41 in the shadow of Mount Taranaki. As usual the 2018 calendar will have 13 railway pictures with a 21cm x 12cm image on each page. It will be in the large desk fold over format. Available now to non-members, order here, Prices are $17.00 each postage included within New Zealand or $20.00 each including postage to overseas addresses.
Desk Calendar Order Form
As New Zealand Railways pushed the rail network about New Zealand, opening up new country for development. a challenge presented itself to house railwaymen in country areas where infrastructure didn’t exist or was newly formed.
Railways only alternative was to construct houses for their employees. Initially part of the Public Works Department responsibilities, eventually an Architectural Branch within New Zealand Railways was formed under George Troup.
This development lead to new designs of railway houses, a design that was to become symbolic in the New Zealand landscape. To manufacture these houses, Railways set up a sawmill and special factory in Frankton, kit-setting houses, delivering them by rail as parts packs and ultimately erecting them about the country. As well as far-flung reaches of the railway system, Railways ended up developing “model” railway settlements at places as diverse as Otahuhu, Newmarket, Frankton, TeKuiti, Taumarunui, Ohakune, Taihape, Palmerston North, Napier, Eastown, Kaiwharawhara, Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass, Otira, Dunedin and other places around the country.
These houses were supplemented in later years by newer designs. This book covers the housing scheme. sawmill and house factory, the railway settlements, the maintenance programme, the house numbering system, and as a railwayman, what it was like living in a railway house. The book closes with Government‘s exit from railway house ownership in the 1990s and a chapter on the railway house survivors that have been lovingly restored by current owners. Complementing the text is a lavish selection of black and white and colour images from the era and current day. Railway houses and the nearby railway environment where they were located are extensively featured
Fullscap landscape format, 72 black and white photographs, 84 colour photographs, 16 blueprints and settlement diagrams, 142 pages, hard bound.
***
