1. The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust
Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust Annual Report 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007
1.1 About Us
The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust is a Charitable Trust established to plan, fund, reinstate and operate a heritage railway on former railway route between Upper Hutt and Featherston, which will be an internationally significant tourist attraction.
1.2 Our mission
The Railway’s mission is to reinstate and operate a heritage railway as a self-sustaining not-for-profit business. The Railway will operate between Wellington, Upper Hutt and Featherston, including the Fell-worked Rimutaka Incline.
By planning and constructing a heritage railway between Maymorn and Featherston the Trust will be: ‘Building a Sanctuary for Steam’
Route of the Rimutaka Incline Railway, 40km north-west of Wellington, New Zealand.
1.3 Objectives
The Rimutaka Incline Railway has identified the following long-term objectives:
- To plan, fund, reinstate and operate a tourist heritage railway on former railway route between Upper Hutt and Featherston, and any other directly or indirectly connected railway;
- Acquire by agreement, lease or purchase such lands as are required to allow the reinstatement of the former railway route between Upper Hutt and Featherston and any other such lands as will further the objectives of the Trust;
- Acquire by agreement, lease or purchase such items of railway rolling stock, tools and material to facilitate the construction and operation of the tourist heritage railway;
- Raise funds for and facilitate the conservation and protection of the former railway route and heritage structures and features hereon;
- To plan, fund and construct appropriate buildings, structures, infrastructure and facilities that facilitate the construction and operation of the tourist heritage railway;
- To arrange interpretative displays for the public, to promote knowledge and education of heritage railways, and in particular the Rimutaka Incline Railway, the historic factors that lead to its creation and raise awareness of the personalities involved;
- To create a service provider for the operation of the tourist heritage railway with a level of service that realises the potential of an internationally significant tourist attraction;
- Facilitate research, discussion, education and interchange of information on topics related to the Rimutaka Incline Railway and environs.
View of a ballast train depositing gravel along railway tracks near Greymouth, West Coast Region, New Zealand. Photographed by Albert Percy Godber about 1936. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Reference number: APG-1544-1/2-F
What appears to be a Wf steam loco is at the head of eight Yb class ballast wagons and a 4-wheel plough van. The plough has been lowered onto the railtop and is spreading ballast that has been discharged from the hoppers. A ridge of unploughed ballast can be seen underneath the last two wagons. The Trust’s fleet of YC-class ballast wagons will be used in a similar fashion in the not too distant future.
1.4 Contribution
The Rimutaka Incline Railway will make a significant and ongoing contribution to New Zealand’s tourism sector. It will make a major contribution to growth of tourism in the Wellington Region, to the mutual benefit of existing tourist attractions.
The Railway will, through its own efforts and by collaboration with other heritage railway operators, make a significant contribution to New Zealand's railway heritage. Overall visitation numbers to New Zealand heritage and commercial railway operations will increase as a direct result of the Railway and its international significance. Existing heritage locomotives and rolling stock will have additional purpose and revenue-earning opportunities, increasing confidence in the long-term sustainability of heritage railways.
1.5 Partnerships
The Rimutaka Incline Railway will collaborate with the tourism sector, other railway operators or other parties where this enhances the heritage railway experience or yields increased revenue. Partnership opportunities with suitable organisations have been explored, and discussions initiated.
The Rimutaka Incline Railway project is a business partnership with the Upper Hutt City Council, incorporated into its Long-Term Council Community Plan.
1.6 Treaty of Waitangi
The Rimutaka Incline Railway is committed to the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. We seek to work with Maori in the spirit of partnership embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi. We accept our responsibility to bring that commitment to all aspects of the work of the Railway. To assist in meeting different needs in an acceptable way, we have initiated consultation and will continue to consult and where appropriate form alliances with urban and Iwi Maori organisations, Maori corporations and consultancies.
Twin De locomotives amongst a sea of wooden-clad carriages at Summit, 1 October 1955.
Photo: Morgan for New Zealand Railways. Archives New Zealand / Te Rua Mahara o te Kawangatanga Wellington Office: [Archives reference: AAVK W3493 D-1541].
2. Chairperson’s Report
The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust continues to be dedicated to the vision to reinstate a heritage railway over the Rimutaka Range since its inception in 2003. The Wellington Region will benefit greatly from the addition of such an authentic cultural heritage attraction, which will be an internationally significant tourist attraction in its own right.
Resource Consent
A considerable amount of effort has gone into an application for a resource consent for rail activities at the Trust’s Maymorn site, culminating in the application being lodged with Upper Hutt City Council on Thursday 17 May 2007. We determined that the proposal would best be described as a railway heritage tourism and educational facility, along with associated earthworks and utilities (as far as the provisions of the District Plan are concerned). The application included:
- a full set of plans for the rail vehicle shed
- outline drawings of other proposed structures including a:
- station building,
- water vat,
- semaphore signals and
- signal box
- toilet block
- description of rail related activities proposed at the site
- landscaping, lighting and car parking plans
- services plans
- stormwater plans
- a geotechnical report, earthworks plan and specification
- noise management plan.
- supporting letter from New Zealand Railways Coporation (Ontrack), the requiring authority for the railways designation placed over the land.
- details of consultation undertaken, and a list of the relatively minor changes made to the application.
All going well site work may commence on the rail vehicle shed in Autumn 2008.
Rail vehicle shed in brief
The shed plans have been validated by Dunning Thornton consulting engineers of Wellington. A relatively small number of detail changes will be made to the plans, the overall concept and dimensions of the structure being quite acceptable. The most significant change will be an up-sizing of portal frame steel section from 200UB30 to 360UB45, due to revised wind loading schedules. The universal beams will increase in depth from 200mm to 360mm, with a corresponding increase in weight from 30kg/m to 45kg/m. This will have minimal effect on the portal frame design, however, the increase in section being easily accomodated within the structure, without compromising clearances to the rail vehicle loading gauge.
The rake of eight YC wagons were photographed in the middle of No. 225 freight at Plimmerton on 27 August 2007. In less than 25km their likely last mainline journey would be over. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
Thirteen YC-class ballast wagons purchased
The Trust has purchased thirteen YC-class ballast wagons from ONTRACK for future use on the Rimutaka Incline Railway. Around 200 wagons of YC, YF and YH classes were withdrawn from service during 2007, to be replaced by a fleet of 40 modern YJ-class bogie hopper wagons. The Trust’s plans to construct and maintain an 18km heritage railway from Maymorn to Summit will require a ballast wagon train. This is a rare and not-to-be repeated opportunity to acquire suitable ballast wagons. The Trust is grateful for the opportunity given by ONTRACK to purchase the vehicles.
Building Consent granted — Rail vehicle shed.
Building consent has been granted for the rail vehicle shed planned for construction at Maymorn. Drawings were finalised in August after a few changes, mainly associated with the internal inspection pit design. Construction is still pending overall planning permission for the project.
Commendation at Regional Community Awards
Mayor Wayne Guppy presents award to Trust Chairperson Hugh McCracken during the Upper Hutt ceremony of the 2007 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. Photo: Kim Cheeseman.
The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust received a commendation at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards ceremony for the Upper Hutt District. The commendation recognises community service for voluntary organisations in the Heritage and Environment category and was presented by Mayor Wayne Guppy at a function held in the Upper Hutt City Council Mayoral Chambers on Tuesday 18th September.
Wellington Airport and The Community Trust of Wellington jointly support the Community Awards — the latter also having recently granted $50,000 towards the construction of a rail vehicle shed at Maymorn.
The Trust is honoured to receive a commendation at this stage of the project to re-establish the Rimutaka Incline Railway.
Licenced to operate
Gaining an interim Rail Service Licence has been a key development for the Rimutaka Incline Railway. An extensive amount of work has been carried out behind the scenes by Steve Porter, Ben Calcott and Hugh McCracken over the past few years, and continues as codes, rules and procedures are drafted and embedded. Attention will now turn to the implementation of the Safety System, including training of rail personnel, inspection, certification and maintenance of rail vehicles, railway infrastructure, railway premises, communications and train control equipment.
The Trust is indebted to the assistance given by other railway organisations during the preparation of its Safety Case and asscociated documentation, which has been an enormous help. It is interesting to learn of moves towards standards-based or at the least, template-based systems for various classes of railway operation, perhaps in some part lead by the development of National Railway System codes for heritage railway operations on the national network. A convergence to common standards would most likely give rise to efficiencies in the development, operation of, administration and auditing of railway operations, and the Trust would support developments along those lines.
$150,000 grant for rail vehicle shed
Lottery Grants Board approved a $150,000 grant on 1 June 2007 for a rail vehicle shed to be constructed at Maymorn. The grant covers both foundations and structural steel for the shed, and the Trust is extremely grateful to receive this level of support.
This is in addition to two grants previously approved by Rimutaka Trust and The Community Trust of Wellington for $25,000 and $50,000 respectively — and means that the full 80-metre length of shed will now be possible.
The Trust continues to participate in the Upper Hutt community, educating the public of its vision to establish a heritage railway between Upper Hutt and southern Wairarapa. It has also educated the public of the significance of the former railway route, and in particular the unique Fell-worked Rimutaka Incline. By having a presence at public events in Upper Hutt and the wider Wellington Region, the Trust has also been able to consult with the public on its plans.
The Trust has maintained a membership of approximately seventy, including both individual and corporate members. The Internet continues to be used to deliver information to members, stakeholders and the public in general, including newsletters, press releases, and research topics. The information is distributed to a community much wider than the immediate membership — newsletters are sent to twice as many stakeholders as the Trust has members, prior to publication on the Trust’s website for general consumption.
The Trust has continued to make steady progress at the Maymorn site since securing the lease on the Maymorn land in July 2005. Security fencing has been constructed, primarily on the ONTRACK boundary. This enhances the safety of rail personnel passengers and the public, and provides a reasonable level of security for the Trust’s assets at the site. Future building sites will also be able to be secured.
The pedestrian crossing at the North end of the site will provide safe passage for people passing through the Rimutaka Incline Railway site to and from Tranz Metro trains at Maymorn station. It will also provide security for the site for the western side of the pedestrian crossing, which will be flanked by security fence and gates. Work continued on the crossing through the year as time and resources permitted.
In closing I would like to extend my thanks to members of the Board and those who have been co-opted to assist in running the Trust. The achievements of the past year are testimony to their commitment to the Trust.
regards, Hugh McCracken
3. Core deliverables
A business plan for 2004-2008 was completed on 21 September 2004, providing an overall framework for the operation of the Trust. This was the result of months of planning, consultation and analysis work. Recommendations from an Economic Feasibility Study undertaken on the tourist-heritage railway proposal by BERL (Business Economic Research Limited, an independent Wellington consultancy) were incorporated into the plan.
Outcomes and strategies were determined for a number of key activities for the Trust. Progress towards achieving these outcomes, and discussion of strategies is incorporated in this report.
3.1 Reinstating and operating tourist-heritage railway
The Trust has the objective “to plan, fund, reinstate and operate a tourist heritage railway on former railway route between Upper Hutt and Featherston, and any other directly or indirectly connected railway”.
The Trust has concentrated its efforts on planning the reinstatement and subsequent operation of the tourist-heritage railway during 2004-2005.
3.1.1 Planning
Progress has been made on the following planning areas:
- A replica Troup-designed station building
- Rail vehicle shed planning
- Resource Consent application
- Connecting route
Station building
Plans for a heritage station building at Maymorn are progressing well, with a set of elevation and layout plans received from Cochran & Murray, Conservation Architects, at the end of March.
A full set of foundation, structural and detail drawings will follow shortly and are awaited with much anticipation.
The Trust remains indebted to the Rimutaka Licensing Trust for a grant of $19,200 towards the architectural work.
Standard drawing — Two Road Engine Shed, CCE drawing #18858 dated 29 June 1911.
Rail vehicle shed planning
In order to protect, conserve, restore and maintain its current fleet of heritage carriages and provide for future steam and diesel locomotives, the Trust plans to build a rail vehicle shed at Maymorn, Upper Hutt. The shed is being modelled on the “NZR Standard Drawing Two Road Engine Shed” (CCE 18858) of 1911. The Trust wishes the shed to conform as far as is practicable to key features of the historical design, including: roof pitch, door dimensions, style and position, barge boards and eaves.
Resource Consent
Work has commenced on Resource Consent application to Upper Hutt City Council for rail utility and structures, tourist and educational facilities at the Maymorn site.
Connecting route at Maymorn
A connecting route between Maymorn Station and the heritage railway route near Tunnel Gully is being investigated.
3.1.2 Planning — railway infrastructure
Detailed planning work was undertaken during the year on exploring route options, where these exist, investigating the heritage route between Tunnel Gully, Kaitoke and Summit, connection to the national rail network, structures, sources of suitable track materials and a new walkway.
3.1.2.1 Connection to mainline
The Trust still has approval in principle from Ontrack for a future mainline connection at Maymorn.
3.1.2.2 Station facilities
Maymorn railway heritage precinct plans and project plan have been finalised. Prime requirements for the precinct include the provision of rail facilities capable of handling initially 6-coach, and later 12-coach trains, crossing movements, interchange between the Rimutaka Incline Railway and other rail operators, rail vehicle storage, maintenance and servicing facilities.
3.1.2.3 Construction Sites
Railway land at Maymorn will be used as a temporary construction site, amongst other uses outlined in this report.
3.1.3 Funding
Funding for the railway has come from the following sources:
- A number of grants were received during the year:
- Rimutaka Trust / Trust House Charitable Trust (Rail vehicle shed)
- Pelorus (Ballast wagon)
- NZCT (two ballast wagons)
- Rotary Upper Hutt (transport of sleeping carriage Aa1060)
- NZCT (fencing)
- Hutt Mana Charitable Trust (fencing — carried over from 2005-6 financial year)
- Thirteen ballast wagons ex ONTRACK were purchased with funds raised through a sponsorship scheme.
- Two further grants have been approved for construction of the rail vehicle shed, including $50,000 from The Community Trust of Wellington and $150,000 from Lottery Grants Board Environment and Heritage Committee. The grants have not been called upon pending approval of a Resource Consent.
- Subscriptions.
- Donations from members and the public.
- Sales of merchandise to public and members.
New Zealand Community Trust grant for fence
The Trust is grateful for a $4,000 donation from the New Zealand Community Trust, which will be spent on further security fencing materials for the Maymorn site. The Trust intends to fence the site boundary as soon as is practicable. This will enhance public health and safety by precluding entry into potentially hazardous areas, and help protect assets from theft and vandalism.
The fence-building programme continued through the Summer and Autumn months, with half of the length of mesh installed in early April.
Trust members Ian Shore and Peter Milburn placing concrete along fenceline, 24 March 2007. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
Applications for donations / grants were made to the following organisations:
- Trust House Charitable Trust for costs associated with transporting six railway carriages from Ohakune to Maymorn (approved)
- Rotary Heretaunga for a contribution towards construction of a station platform at Maymorn (declined)
- New Zealand Charitable Trust for materials and equipment hire for the construction of a security fence at Maymorn (pending)
- Hutt Mana Charitable Trust for materials and equipment hire for the construction of a security fence at Maymorn (approved in part)
- New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, Environment and Heritage Committee for funding of a rail vehicle shed at Maymorn (pending)
- Goodwood Trust for trees to be planted at Summit (approved).
3.1.4 Reinstating
Heritage railway route was not yet available for reinstatement.
Delegates visiting the Taieri Gorge Railway maintenance workshop at Dunedin during Queen’s Birthday FRONZ conference. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
3.1.5 Operating
The Trust was represented at the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand (FRONZ) Annual Conference at Dunedin during Queens Birthday Weekend 2007. Attendance at the conference provides valuable networking opportunities with rail operators throughout the country, sessions on relevant and pertinent rail-related issues and developments, and visits to rail-related tourist attractions.
Interim rail service licence granted
On Friday 21 September 2007 Land Transport New Zealand granted the Trust an interim rail service licence as an access provider and rail operator in order to carry out rail activities at Maymorn. An extensive amount of work has been carried out behind the scenes by Ben Calcott, Hugh McCracken and Steve Porter. On Thursday 20 September the Trust submitted a Safety Case in accordance with Section 30 of the Railways Act 2005, along with an application form for a rail service licence.
3.2 Land acquisition
Good progress was made towards securing the railway corridor between Maymorn and Summit during the year.
- The Trust continues to occupy a sizable portion of the Maymorn station yard, a licence having been secured for a period of twenty years (renewable) from 14th July 2005.
- A connecting route between the Maymorn rail precinct and the heritage formation high above the Rimutaka Tunnel continues to receive attention.
- Contact was maintained with current and future neighbours through the Trust’s newsletters.
3.2.1 Land agreements
The Trust has reached “agreement in principle” with ONTRACK (New Zealand Railways Corporation) for locating and operating on its rail corridor in the vicinity of the Maymorn Road underpass. A limited number of matters remain to be addressed to secure the first 500m of rail corridor northwards from land leased at Maymorn station.
3.2.2 Land leases
Access to most of the railway formation will be by way of lease or “licence to occupy”, including railway land at Maymorn, and that held by Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.
3.2.3 Purchases
The Trust did not purchase any land during 2006-2007.
A proposal to establish a separate land purchasing company is still being explored.
3.3 Rail vehicles
In order to construct and operate the railway, the Trust must “acquire by agreement, lease or purchase such items of railway rolling stock, tools and material to facilitate the construction and operation of the tourist heritage railway”.
During 2006-7 the Trust acquired a number of rail vehicles, extending its fleet. (Arrival dates for vehicles that arrived in 2006-7 are in bold, and row highlighted in grey):
| Original No | TMS No | Year outshopped | Where built | Arrival date at Maymorn | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1896 | A56113 | 1941 | Otahuhu | 20 Dec 2005 | no bogies |
| A1914 | AL2044 | 1940 | Otahuhu | 21 Dec 2005 | no bogies |
| A1916 | A56247 | 1939 | Otahuhu | 7 Dec 2005 | no bogies |
| A1988 | A56750 | 1943 | Addington | 9 Dec 2005 | no bogies |
| A2000 | A56868 | 1940 | Addington | 8 Dec 2005 | no bogies |
| Aa1060 | - | 1909 | Petone | 4 May 2007 | complete |
| F605 | EA67715 | 1944 | Otahuhu | 23 Dec 2005 | no bogies |
| GM63 | ex-FM572 | 1977 | Mitsubishi, Japan | 3 April 2007 | module only |
| GM96 | ex-FM1070 | 1981 | Daewoo, Korea | 24 May 2006 | module only |
| GM97 | ex-FM1087 | 1981 | Daewoo, Korea | 20 May 2006 | module only |
| Q1489 | Q8019 | 1953 | NZR | 23 July 2006 | complete |
| Q1534 | Q8407 | 1953 | NZR | 23 July 2006 | complete |
| Wd356 | - | 1901 | Baldwin Locomotive Works #19260 | 23 July 2006 | steam locomotive chassis (storage only) |
Historic sleeping carriage secured by Trust
The Trust has been donated former North Island Main Trunk sleeping carriage Aa1060 built at Petone Railway Workshops in 1909. Members of the Trust spent a considerable amount of time preparing the carriage for transport through April and May. It was transported from Akatarawa Valley to the Trust’s Maymorn railway station depot on Friday 4 May.
Aa1060 was one of eight wooden-clad sleeping carriages built for the newly opened main trunk, sharing many proportions and design features with the first and second-class day cars of the day. Notably, these were the first type of sleeping carriage built by New Zealand Railways.
It is one of two surviving sleeping carriages, the other located at MoTaT, Auckland. They were replaced by later sleeping carriage designs; both saw non-revenue service in work trains, with only a few modifications made. Five compartments remain relatively intact in Aa1060, with at least one compartment and one of the two lavatories removed.
Most other early sleeping carriages were altered for suburban use for the latter part of their service. Aa1060 was initially preserved by Silver Stream Railway, but was on-sold privately in the late 1990s. It languished in a paddock in the Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt until being offered to the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust in April 2007.
Preparation and transport
(All images Hugh McCracken, unless otherwise credited.)
Surprisingly some of the sleeping comaprtments are still in remarkably good condition. Seats 16 and 17 still in place, the back squab tilts and lifts up to form the top sleeping bunk.
By ANZAC day, 25 April, we were full-swing into preparing the carriage for transport. King-pins of both bogies has been pulled, the carriage jacked and blocked up at each end. We turned one bogie through 90-degrees in order to pull the carriage out from its resting place — thus saving a considerable amount of excavation and/or crane work. Temporary track was ramped up onto a pigsty of sleepers, and the carriage pulled around and up the ramp using a chain hoist.
On Friday 4 May a break in the weather appearing in what had otherwise been a very wet week. The New Zealand Freighters truck with carriage on board negotiates the difficult accessway, with a concrete culvert opening (right) shored up with sleeper blocks and timber as a precaution.
By late afternoon the carriage had been lowered sufficiently to roll in the bogie at the balcony end, as above. An hour or two later saw the second bogie rolled into place, the operation complete.
Thanks are due to all involved — the former owners for donating the carriage, New Zealand Freighters, Hammond Crane and Cartage Limited and Trust members who worked many hours to prepare and transport the carriage, and Rotary Upper Hutt for sponsoring the transport expenses.
Protection from the elements
The carriage has been clad with long-run Colorsteel, to protect it from the elements and vandalism. This is a temporary solution, pending construction of the rail vehicle shed. Once the carriage is under cover the cladding will be removed and incorporated into the shed structure.
Guards van module GM63
A third guards van module, GM63, was collected from alongside the Mangaroa River in April 2007, whilst ground conditions were still relatively dry and firm. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald.
GM63 joined two similar FM guards van modules GM96 and GM97 at the Maymorn site, initially placed within the secure carriage compound. Windows have been temporarily boarded up, and roof-top ventilator panels fitted, providing a good amount of protection from the weather and vandals in the meantime. The module was moved out of the compound to make room for the sleeping carriage — but may well be brought into use as a site office during construction of the rail vehicle shed close by.
3.3.1 Agreements
Discussions continued with rail vehicle owning groups and individuals with a view to forming railway vehicle agreements.
3.3.2 Leases
The Trust sought and obtained approval from the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand for the transfer of a rail heritage lease of two Q–class coal hopper wagons, which were transported to Maymorn on 23 July 2006.
3.3.3 Purchases
As detailed elsewhere in this report, the Trust purchased thirteen YC-class ballast wagons from ONTRACK for future use on the Rimutaka Incline Railway. The wagons were due to be transported to Maymorn in the 2007-8 financial year.
3.4 Conservation and protection of former railway route and heritage structures
A further objective of the Trust is to raise funds for and facilitate the conservation and protection of former railway route and heritage structures associated with the Rimutaka Incline Railway.
Pakuratahi deviation investigation with MWH
Silvia Allan and Keith Robertson, MWH consultants and Keith Woolley of Greater Wellington Regional Council stop to view a potential rail bridge site over the Pakuratahi River, 2km from Summit. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
On 26 October 2006 Trust Chairperson Hugh McCracken accompanied MWH Global consulting engineers and a Greater Wellington Regional Council officer on a half-day exploratory trip up the Pakuratahi valley. A high dam at Ladle Bend on the Pakuratahi River is one of three sites being evaluated to cater for Wellington’s future water requirements, the others being Skull Gully, in the Orongorongo catchment, Wainuiomata, and the Whakatiki site, Belmont Regional Park.
The Trust has acknowledged the necessity to provide for future water requirements of the region, this being the prime reason for Greater Wellington Regional Council holding the land in the Pakuratahi Forest Park. We have expressed opposition to locating the dam at Ladle Bend, as it would inundate approximately 1.5km of railway formation, and necessitate removal of the historically important Ladle Bend railway bridge. However, the Trust has suggested an alternative to the Ladle Bend location, being immediately upstream of the Summit Stream confluence. This location is being examined as a potential candidate.
Implications for the Trust of the Ladle Bend reservoir site have been considered further, to determine firstly whether a deviation route is feasible, and secondly, to determine likely order of magnitude of cost. The excursion on 26 October explored a possible route that would deviate from the heritage railway formation approximately 2km downstream of the Pakuratahi Tunnel, climb at a gradient no greater than 1 in 40 with minimum 100-metre radius curvature to crest above the dam site, skirt above the shore of the reservoir, finally crossing the head of the reservoir to rejoin the heritage formation approximately 2km from Summit.
Whilst this would be an enormous undertaking for the Trust (more than $15M at commercial rates), and not its first preference, the deviation would be of similar character to other portions of the route. It would, unfortunately, result in loss or deviation away from key heritage railway structures, including the Pakuratahi Tunnel, Pakuratahi Truss bridge and Ladle Bend bridge and 4km of formation that passes through a particularly scenic gorge.
3.4.1 Fundraising and facilitation
The Trust raised funds to purchase and subsequently plant native trees at Maymorn and Summit in late 2006. The planting is symbolic of environmental reinstatement that the Trust wishes to facilitate at Summit and other portions of the route.
3.4.2 Heritage Conservation Management Plan
A Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Management Plan will be devised in order to provide policies and principles that will guide the long term reinstatement, restoration, preservation and protection of historic sites and structures that form or are associated with the Railway.
3.5 Buildings, structures, infrastructure and facilities for construction and operation of heritage railway
The Trust has the objective to plan, fund and construct buildings, structures, infrastructure and facilities for the construction and operation of a heritage railway. This includes construction sites, operational areas, station precincts, communications and rail operational systems.
3.5.1 Planning
Consultation has continued in the following ways:
- Information is available on the Trust’s web site;
- Articles in newsletters sent out to members, stakeholders and subsequently available on the Trust’s web site;
- Inclusion in displays at public events and speaking engagements;
- Meetings and continued information sharing with management and organisers of recreational and sporting facilities and events;
- Dialog continues with Greater Wellington Regional Council and Department of Conservation over access to railway formation in the Pakuratahi Forest and Rimutaka Forest Park.
3.5.1.1 Buildings and structures
East elevation (part) of Maymorn station building plan drafted for the Trust by Cochran & Murray, Conservation Architects. Dated 20 March 2006.
The following structure designs for the Maymorn railway heritage precinct have been prepared:
Station Building
A replica station building design of the notable designer George Troup, incorporating an information and discovery centre. The building will be in keeping with those historically associated with the Wellington to Masterton Railway. The former Waimate design has been selected, having adequate floor area for future requirements, and containing key features of a “Troup” design, including a pitched verandah, gabled wings and heavy corbels. It is hoped to reduce the extent of new design work by selecting an existing design. A design brief for a heritage station building was prepared, recommending the former Waimate station design, fulfilling most criteria, including period, capacity, functionality and style.
In mid-2005 the Trust commissioned Chris Cochran, a renowned conservation architect, to prepare working drawings and specifications in order to satisfy regulatory requirements for construction. This work was completed in 2006, with drawings and supporting engineering work ready for submission for building Consent.
Rail vehicle shed.
We are now putting the finishing touches on a reapplication to the Lotteries Grants Board Environment and Heritage Committee, and hope to be successful this time, since now we have secured a significant amount of partnership funding. A rethink has been had on some aspects of the project, and we plan to put a considerable amount of voluntary effort into the construction — to get the most out of the funds that we have available to us. The core principles remain — that the shed will:
- Provide secure storage and protection for the Trust’s fleet of heritage carriages
- Incorporate key features of heritage engine shed designs
- Provide an all-weather base for the Trust at Maymorn
- Provide workshop and restoration facilities
- Have space for public displays.
The rail vehicle shed will be a focal point for the Trust, a nucleus from which its operations can grow. Plans for the station precinct are progressing well, including a full set of plans and engineering drawings for a replica heritage station building, a station platform, track, car parking, landscaping and lighting plans — all necessary components for a functional heritage railway precinct. As soon as the Lottery Grant application is submitted, attention will turn to finalising Resource Consent requirements for the development, including consultation prior to completion and submission of documents. All going well we hope to be in a position to commence construction of the rail vehicle shed in Autumn 2008.
Side and end elevation drawing showing one half of the rail vehicle shed.
Building consent has been granted for the rail vehicle shed planned for construction at Maymorn. Drawings were finalised in August after a few iterations, mainly associated with the internal inspection pit design. Construction is still pending overall planning permission for the project.
Portion of one of the drawings for the Rail Vehicle shed, being a cross-section of the shed, showing inspection pits that will be provided for inspection and maintenance activities.
An ‘Artists impression’ of the planned rail vehicle shed at the Maymorn shed site. Proposed railway lines and boundary fence have been omitted for clarity. Image: Hugh McCracken.
Services
Planning has been completed for services required at the Maymorn site. This included: power, water, sewer and telephone.
Power and water services are required at the future rail vehicle shed site initially, and in due course at the station building site. Underground ducting has been selected to bring the services on site from Parkes Line Road, to reduce visual impact. Quotes have been sought, and will be incorporated into funding applications.
Sponsor a length of track!
A track sponsorship campaign was launched during the year, inviting individuals to sponsor a length of track. The length includes the rails, fastenings, sleeper and ballast required to build track for 1 sleeper spacing, typically 675mm. A certificate is issued, recognising the contributions made, including details that identify the sleeper, its location, along with the plan type
The exact location of the sponsored length of track, and photo of the track in its surroundings can be viewed by using the new virtual track locator feature on the Trust’s web site.
There are 3 levels of sponsorship: Bronze, Silver and Gold, with appropriate pricing steps. Each plan type varies by location of length of track (accessibility / prestige of location), degree of customisation possible in the plaque, and inclusion in a commemorative display board.
Concrete sleepers at Wellington on 3 December 2006 awaiting final transport to Maymorn. The Westpac Trust Stadium can be seen in the distance. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
Hugh McCracken, Ian Shore and Colin Craddock construct the first length of track using sponsored sleepers at Maymorn on 10 February 2007. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
Security fencing
Requirements for a security fence were identified, providing for the safety of rail personnel passengers and the public, and providing a reasonable level of security. Successful grant applications made to Hutt Mana Charitable Trust and the New Zealand Community Trust.
Work on the security fence along the ONTRACK boundary continued through 2006-2007, and by the end of the period most of the future rail vehicle shed construction site was enclosed.
Peter, Colin, Glenn, Ian closing in the “Hutt-Mana fence” on 7 October 2006. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
Pedestrian accessway
A pedestrian accessway from Parkes Line Road to the Tranz Metro station is being constructed, crossing both the mainline and future Trust railway lines. The crossing design was prepared in consultation with Ontrack, resulting in agreement on location, design and signage. By the end of June the portion of crossing abutting the Ontrack boundary was largely complete, and good progress was being made on the remainder.
Major concrete work was completed on the pedestrian crossing in December 2006.
On 16 December 2006 saw seven trust members placing Firth ready-mix concrete at the pedestrian crossing. This completed the walking surface on the Parkes Line Road side. Photo: Glenn Fitzgerald.
Over the summer break a short length of track was put in position at the pedestrian crossing, on the future loop alignment. The track still requires ballast and a lift to the design rail height. Once at position boarding will be fitted to give a flat walking surface across the track.
It will be a relatively simple matter at a later date to replace these rails and incorporate the pedestrian crossing into the rail system proper. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
3.5.2 Funding
NZCT grant for fence
In June the Trust received a $4,000 grant from the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust towards hire equipment charges and materials for a security fence at the Maymorn site.
Grants totalling $225,000 approved for Rail Vehicle Shed
The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust has had three grants totalling $225,000 approved for a rail vehicle shed at Maymorn.
Lottery Grants Board has approved a $150,000 grant on 1 June 2007 for a rail vehicle shed to be constructed at Maymorn. The grant covers both foundations and structural steel for the shed, and the Trust is extremely grateful to receive this level of support.
This is in addition to two grants previously approved by Rimutaka Trust and The Community Trust of Wellington for $25,000 and $50,000 respectively — and means that the full 80-metre length of shed will now be possible.
The Trust is grateful for the confidence shown by these organisations in our project. The funding will enable us to construct a functional shed that we can use to protect heritage railway vehicles and at the same time give us an all-weather working base for the project.
Funding for the railway has come from the following sources:
- A number grants were received during the year. From:
- Rimutaka Trust / Trust House Charitable Trust (Rail vehicle shed)
- Pelorus (Ballast wagon)
- NZCT (two ballast wagons)
- Rotary Upper Hutt (transport of sleeping carriage Aa1060)
- NZCT (fencing)
- Hutt Mana Charitable Trust (fencing — carried over from 2005-6 financial year)
- Thirteen ballast wagons ex ONTRACK were purchased with funds raised through a sponsorship scheme.
- Two further grants have been approved for construction of the rail vehicle shed, including $50,000 from The Community Trust of Wellington and $150,000 from Lottery Grants Board Environment and Heritage Committee. The grants have not been called upon pending approval of a Resource Consent.
- Subscriptions.
- Donations from members and the public.
- Sales of merchandise to public and members.
3.5.3 Construction
The Trust was not in a position to commence construction of buildings or other major facilities at the Maymorn site, but has commenced work on laying track, building a pedestrian crossing and constructing security fencing at the site.
3.6 Promotion, knowledge and education of the Rimutaka Incline Railway
The Trust promoted the Rimutaka Incline Railway in a number of ways, including interpretative displays, press releases leading to news items, advertisements, guest speaking appearances and through its newsletters and web site.
3.6.1 Interpretative displays
A number of interpretative displays were carried out during the year, including:
- Mangaroa School — 10 March 2007
- Plateau Road School — 16 March 2007
- Wellington Vintage Machinery Club Fair — 7, 8 April 2007.
Plateau Road School display, 16 March 2007. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
3.6.2 Promotions
The Trust was the subject of or mentioned in the following publications:
- Almost $250,000 given away to community, article in The Upper Hutt Leader, 25 October 2006.
- Loco, carriage shed planned for Maymorn, illustrated article in The Upper Hutt Leader, 25 October 2006.
- Rimutaka rail project given funding boost, artile in the Dominion Post, November 2006
- Historic sleeping carriage secured by incline trust, illustrated article in the Kapiti Observer, 24 May 2007.
- Sleeping carriage moved, illustrated article in The Upper Hutt Leader, 30 May 2007.
- $150,000 grant for incline rail shed, illustrated article in The Upper Hutt Leader, 20 June 2007.
- Carriages on the move — 1, illustration with caption in New Zealand Railfan, June 2007.
Display at Wellington Vintage Machinery Club Fair, Mangaroa on 9 April 2007. Photo: Hugh McCracken.
Trust web site as at 14 June 2007.
3.6.3 Knowledge and education
Interpretative displays, guest speaking appearances, the Trust’s newsletter and web site were used to promote knowledge and education of the Rimutaka Incline Railway.
3.7 Research, discussion, education and interchange of information relating to the Rimutaka Incline Railway
3.7.1 Web site
The web site at www.rimutaka-incline-railway.org.nz is the Trust’s primary mechanism for the dissemination of information, and research outputs. This continues to be of benefit to both membership and the general public.
Search engine relevance
Search engine relevance (as returned by www.google.co.nz on 13 February 2008):
- #1 result for “Rimutaka”
- #1 result for “heritage railway”, restricted to New Zealand domain
- #3 result for “tourist railway”, restricted to New Zealand domain
3.7.2 Guest speaking
In addition to promotional displays, the Trust was invited to provide a guest speaker for a number of club and society meetings. These provide opportunities to inform the wider community about the Rimutaka Incline Railway, its history, and the Trust’s objective to reinstate it as a heritage railway.
Guest speaking appearances included:
- Probus Onslow — 11 July 2006.
- Rotary conference, Upper Hutt — 31 March 2007.
4. Trust Board
A Board of Trustees governs the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust, meeting for both Board and Committee meetings to further the aims and objectives of the Trust.
4.1 Board composition
At 30 June 2007 the Trust Board comprised the following Trustees (positions noted where applicable):
| Trustee | Position |
|---|---|
| Hugh McCracken | Chairperson |
| Steve Porter | Secretary |
| Cr Barry Timms | Treasurer |
| Glenn Fitzgerald | Trustee |
| Cr Howard Phillips | Trustee |
| Clark Simmonds | Trustee |
| Colin Craddock | Trustee |
4.2 Officers — honorary, non-voting
The Trust is extremely grateful for the work of Jean Fitzgerald throughout the year, assisting the Trust in the capacity of Minutes and Membership Secretary.
4.3 Trust meetings
Trust meetings were held every four weeks, breaking to a recess over the Christmas / New Year period.
The following subcommittees meet inbetween times:
- Land subcommittee: considering lease, purchase, access, stakeholder considerations;
- Maymorn site subcommittee: planning and coordinating Maymorn site development and maintenance work;
- Fundraising subcommittee: raising funds for projects identified in the Annual Plan, and as otherwise directed by the Trust;
- Safety system subcommittee: developing systems and documentation in order to secure a rail service licence.
The subcommittees report to the Trust, recommend actions, and undertake tasks as delegated. The Trust works efficiently and effectively in this manner.
5. Accounts
Accounts for the financial year are attached to this report.
6. Membership
Membership of the Trust has been available since the 17th of December 2003. At the end of the financial year membership continued to stand at seventy, including one body corporate.
6.1 Newsletters
Newsletters were distributed to members by both electronic and paper delivery methods, detailing Trust proposals, progress on key objectives, reporting on events and achievements, and advising of future member meetings, walks and future event attendence. Three newsletters were published:
6.2 Membership events
An outing was arranged for members:
- Sunday 3 September 2006 — Heritage Visit — Destination: Carterton Community & Railway Museum.
- A visit to Carterton railway station to view one of the few Vogel-period railway stations left in the lower North Island. The station is a remnant from the days when all Wairarapa trains travelled over the Rimutaka Incline. A similar station was also provided at Featherston. Memorabilia and photographs are displayed inside the restored station building, including photos of the Incline and Upper Hutt in steam days.
6.3 Members’ meetings
Three members’ meetings were held during the year:
- Wednesday 13 September 2006 — Maymorn station drawings evening
- A chance to view and discuss plans prepared for the Trust by conservation architects Cochran & Murray — ten A1-sized sheets including exquisite detail and exacting standards.
- Wednesday 31 January 2007 — Rail Vehicle Shed evening
- A meeting to view plans and discuss details about the rail vehicle shed project for Maymorn.
- Wednesday 18 April 2007 — Ballast wagons
- The decommissioning of old ballast wagons from mainline service this year marks the end of an era for 4-wheel wagons. A chance to look back at 4-wheel wagons, their successors and our plans to purchase up to 12 wagons for the Rimutaka Incline Railway.
Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust, 12 March 2008.