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Staircase Gully

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NameStaircase GullyDescriptionThe railway from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass crosses Staircase Gully, Waimakariri Gorge by a viaduct which is the highest in the South Island. This was part of the work on the Midland Line undertaken by the Government after the Midland Railway Company collapsed in the 1890s. The contract to build was let to an English firm, Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company. Because of the depth of the gully, construction was extremely difficult. The viaduct is 180 ft across and consists of a 60 ft abutment, two spans of 192 ft each, and a 36 ft wide pier. The 36 ft wide pier is almost in the centre of the viaduct and required four lots of foundations and used approximately 2000 cubic yards of concrete.

Gravel from the bed of the Waimakariri River was also used and conveyed to the top of the river bank by means of an aerial tramway, followed by another aerial line to the foundations of the viaduct. The pier is 220 ft high, being built on a strong concrete foundation. Above this are laid huge iron girders with the decking of the pier being 237 ft from the bottom of the gully. The steel used was manufactured locally by Scott Brothers Atlas Foundry. At the time of construction, a large cage ran on cables between the two sides of the gully to transport men and some materials. However, horses and some materials had to use a zig-zagging track blasted out of the canyons walls. The foundations for the viaduct over Staircase Gully were commenced about March 1904. It was finally opened in 1906.

Pictured right: Staircase Gully, 1905

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Staircase Gully