Kaitoke to Pakuratahi section
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» Pakuratahi to Summit section
Route of the Rimutaka Incline Railway from Kaitoke to Pakuratahi Loop.
Main features
- Proximity to State Highway 2 shortly after leaving Kaitoke
- Southwards orientation of the route, following the southwestern side of the Pakuratahi River valley.
- Substantially flatter gradients, the steepest being a short stretch of 1 in 96
Route description
The Kaitoke to Pakuratahi section was perhaps not as dramatic as other sections in so far as gradient was concerned, but still had a considerable amount of curvature, much of it of 5 chain (100 metre) radius.
Departing Kaitoke station, the line turned to the east through a sweeping compound curve of 10 chains (201 metre) and 13 chains (262 metre) radius. Partway around the curve a goods siding crossed the present-day State Highway 2. The end of the curve was located in a cutting, presently used as an access road to the Rimutaka Incline Walkway, Wellington Kart Club raceway, Upper Valley Gliding Club airstrip and New Zealand Deerstalkers Association rifle range. One of the more dramatic curves of the route is encountered, a 5 chain radius curve that goes through 116 degrees on a high embankment above the Go Kart track.
The railway curved its way up the valley of the Pakuratahi River, the steepest gradient being a short stretch of 1 in 96 facing south-bound or 'down' trains. Gradual falling grades are mainly encountered by northbound or 'up' trains, with a ¾ mile (1.2km) climb of 1 in 200 steepening to 1 in 100 near the end of the section.
Curve half way between Kaitoke and the proposed Pakuratahi crossing loop, with Maymorn and Renata peaks in the distance. PHOTO: Hugh McCracken.
References:
Public Works Department Wellington - Masterton Railway Mungaroa Contract, 1875. National Archives Agency AATE Accession W3409 Folder 55 Part 11.
Public Works Department Wellington - Masterton Railway Pakuratahi Contract, 1875. National Archives Agency AATE Accession W3409 Folder 56 Part 12.
Public Works Department Wellington - Masterton Railway Summit Contract, 1875. National Archives Agency AATE Accession W3409 Folder 53 Part 9.
Cameron, W.N., 1992. 'Rimutaka Railway', New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, Wellington, New Zealand.
Next page: Pakuratahi to Summit section
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Page updated 30 May 2005 Hugh McCracken.
