Snap Shot - Taieri Gorge Railway

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The familiarization trip on the Taieri be found on page 12 and 13 of the Gorge Railway to Pukerangi Dunedin Railways guides. comprised of Christine, the new staff from I-Site, Cissy a fellow volunteer worker and myself.

Taieri Gorge Railway has daily trips to Pukerangi. Travelling time to Pukerangi is two hours. Trips to Middlemarch on the other hand are on scheduled days.

In April 1930, the Minister of Railway declared the line closed. Today, the railway is jointly owned by Noticeable areas were; Salisbury the Dunedin City Council and the Tunnel, the largest Tunnel (437m) Otago Excursion Train Trust. and the natural soda springs near the We were scheduled for Wednesday tunnel mouth. the 10th, 2018. Of the 18 passengers’ Parera, the former crossing station, carriages, we were booked on the railway house marvellously carriage C. Our carriage had a family, isolated is now a holiday home. an old lady roughly in her early 70’s and I presumed her two daughters The railway began construction in with a total of six young children June 1879, however due to economic amongst them ranging between ages depression, it never fully operated from 4 -10 and two Chinese couples. until after 1921. Moreover, it contributed tremendously to the The other two courage’s behind ours development of Central Otago at the had about 10 to 15 people in each. time. Tons of farm produce and fruit, The train departed at 14.14pm to be and hundreds of thousands of heads precise destined for Pukerangi. of livestock were railed years to Pukerangi is a quite farm hamlet Dunedin and points north. situated 250m above sea level and - means ‘hill of Heaven’. After passing couple of areas, we Off course the name speaks for itself reached Hindon Station where the - heaven it was. We travelled first section of the Otago Central through spectacular scenery along Railway was opened. We finally the banks of the Taieri River, through reached Purkerangi by 16.20pm several tunnels and climbing along where Middlemarch passengers the Taieri Gorge to the Strath Taieri. were off loaded, and we returned to We crossed through some bridges, Dunedin at 18.20pm. including the southern structure, and It was an amazing experience. passed through ten tunnels. There were 13 areas briefly introduced I would like to say a Special thank you throughout the trip. Full details can to Sharon and Marcella and rest of the I-Site Team.