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Midland Railway

Description

NameMidland RailwayDescriptionThe Midland Railway line is one of the greatest railway journeys of the world, passing through spectacular scenery with towering alps and rugged gorges. The journey between Rolleston and Greymouth, covers 212kms and crosses five bridges, five viaducts and passes through 17 tunnels.

Construction of the Springfield to Arthur’s Pass section of the line began in 1880 and progress at times was agonisingly slow. It would take almost 40 years of construction before the east and west coasts of the South Island were finally linked by rail.

The team of workers faced enormous challenges, constructing immense viaducts over steep gorges and tunneling through solid rock during a bitter winter. Pushing a railway through the gorges of Waimakariri and Broken Rivers was an engineering feat, and all the more impressive that it was done with pick and shovel. To transport materials and men across the aptly-named Staircase Gully, they built a wire ropeway and cage. Imagine taking a trip in a cage (see image) across the great divide of the Waimakariri River during a blustery Canterbury nor’wester!

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