The Trust would like to add the following response to submissions made to Greater Wellington Regional Council on our application to reinstate the Rimutaka Incline Railway: (full article)

The Rimutaka Incline Railway will bring lasting economic and social benefits to Upper Hutt. Stage 1 is estimated to attract in excess of 40,000 visitors a year. Visitor numbers are projected to increase as future stages are completed – particularly the internationally significant Fell Incline between Summit and Cross Creek. Visitors travelling on the heritage railway will be in addition to cycle tourists utilising the new cycleway built by the Trust and will enable people of all ages and abilities to travel through the park.

The trust proposes utilising sustainable fuels when possible to fire steam locomotives used on the route. A fire management plan is being worked on to mitigate risks associated with the operation of steam locomotives (refer How will the risk of fire be managed?). The Trust proposes to operate both steam locomotives and heritage diesel locomotives on the route, and it is highly probable that their operation can be carbon-neutral (refer Can steam locomotives be sustainably operated?).

The specification for the proposed alternative walkway is a starting point and the trust welcomes feedback about the standards proposed. Feedback was received at today’s meeting at Greater Wellington Regional Council that the gradient may be too steep for touring cyclists and the width of the track may be too narrow. The trust will investigate ways to widen the walkway and reduce the gradient to a suggested maximum of 4-5%.

The heritage component of the route is important to the trust. Visitors to the park will be able to view the remnants of machinery currently on the railway and the operation of heritage trains in its historic setting.

New interpretation panels and signs will be installed along the new walkway to inform visitors of the historical aspects of the railway. The trust also proposes to install new viewing/picnic areas along the walkway to provide additional points of interest to park users.