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125th Anniversary Celebrated at Summit

On Saturday 18th October 2003 the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Kaitoke to Featherston section of the Wellington and Masterton Railway was remembered. Greater Wellington, the Regional Council, Department of Conservation (DOC) and The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ), Engineering Heritage jointly held an event to celebrate and recognise the engineering heritage of the former railway route. Guests and attendees had made their way to Summit from Upper Hutt by bus and private vehicles.

invited guests and members of the public await speeches and plaque unveiling at Summit, 18 October 2003

More than 100 invited guests and members of the public, including some who had worked on the railway or lived at the railway settlements of Cross Creek or Summit were in attendence. The marquee to the right included a number of displays, including that of the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
Photo: Hugh McCracken.

Speakers included:

Speakers gave an overview of the historic significance of the former Rimutaka Incline and the railway route between Wellington and the Wairarapa, the efforts Greater Wellington and Department of Conservation and others had put into restoring and developing the former railway formation since opening in the 1980s. Both recreational and railway heritage perspectives on the route were spoken of, including the opportunity that the former railway presents to interest groups, including the railway reinstatement proposal of the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.

Efforts of those that surveyed, built and operated the railway were remembered, including an account of the first attempt to open the railway on 12 October 1878, thwarted by slips up the Pakuratahi Valley. A second and more successful opening was held a few days later...

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Plaque unveiled

A plaque prepared by IPENZ, Engineering Heritage was to be unveiled, recognising the international engineering significance of the Rimutaka Incline, and commemorating the 125th anniversary of the opening of the route, on 12 October 1878.

Margaret Shields, Allan Ross and Rob Aspden unveil commemorative plaque

A plaque commemorating the original opening, and the was unveiled by Councillor Margaret Shields, Chairwoman of Greater Wellington, Allan Ross, Wellington Conservator, DOC, and Rob Aspden, Chairman of IPENZ Engineering Heritage. Photo: Hugh McCracken.

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Commemorative planting

Hugh McCracken, Chairman of the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust planting a Totara tree at Summit

Hugh McCracken, Chairman of the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust planting a Totara tree at Summit. Photograph: Cr Barry Timms.

A number of Totara trees were planted to mark the occasion, near the site of the former Summit signal box. Representatives of participating and invited organisations took part, including the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.

Summit from the Back Road on 18 October 2003

Summit from the Back Road on the day of the celebrations, 18 October 2003. Rochfort Pass top left.

Rimutaka Incline walk

Guests and attendees had the opportunity to walk down the Rimutaka Incline to Cross Creek, and out along formation that is located on private farmland, normally closed to the public. The weather continued to hold throughout the day, which culminated in a short trip to Featherston for a further plaque unveiling, and refreshments.

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