This weeks article is from the New Zealand Railway Observer Volume 30, No 4, Spring 1973 and is: A Century of Railways at Auckland – Transport for a Major Metropolis – T.A. McGavin surveys  Article 40, Volume 30, No 4, Spring 1973 This is quite a long article but stacked with photos. Each week a… Read more »

Since our last report for the web site, we have been working mainly on the finishing of restoring WMR No 48 and on repairing rot in the framing of No 52. WMR 48 The interior of WMR 48 is substantially complete. Slow progress has been made on incomplete exterior work: Most castings and the springs… Read more »

In the King’s Birthday Honours announcements at the end of May, our in-coming President , Grant Craig, was awarded a King’s Service Medal for services to rail heritage. Grant is a Past President of the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand and has been a driving force within Dunedin Railways for many years. His… Read more »

Designed to transport produce from the productive hinterland farms, plus limestone and coal deposits to the port and beyond, North Otago’s numerous branch lines successfully fulfilled these tasks through the decades. Author Arthur De Maine covers in detail the features and operation of each line. Branches covered are: Kurow, Waitaki dam extension, Ngapara, Tokarahi, Dunback… Read more »

The refreshment branch of New Zealand Railways was a significant undertaking. Over many years the department made available refreshment room leases throughout the railway system, some being replaced when NZR commenced dining car operation on key services.  Dining cars were eventually superseded as a war time economy measure, with those lines reverting back to refreshment… Read more »