New Zealand Railways 1899

[rogerfarnworth]

New Zealand Railways – The Railway Magazine, November 1899.​

The November 1899 issue of The Railway Magazine carried the first of a short series of articles about the railways of New Zealand. As you will discover if you choose to read on, the author does not hold back on offering his personal opinions about the state of the railways and choices made by the government of the day for the country’s railways.

New Zealand Railways – The Railway Magazine, November 1899.

New Zealand’s main towns and cities. [40] The November 1899 issue of The Railway Magazine carried the first of a short series of articles about the railways of New Zealand. As you will discov…

rogerfarnworth.com

It is a pity that I do not have access to the subsequent article(s) about New Zealand’s Railways nor to any debate that the article may have provoked.

It might be interesting to hear some present day reflections on the comments the author makes!

The article is also of interest for an introduction to the rather unusual decisions taken by the Southland government about its first railway.

 

[rototunablack5]

Living in Hamilton NZ as I do, I must say when I moved here in 2006 I was surprised by the gauge. But given the varied and rugged nature of the terrain here, I can see why it would have made economic sense. Here in the North Island, we have the “Golden Triangle” of Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga which carries 65% of the country’s imports/exports. This means frequent intermodal and other rail movements. The narrow gauge, curves, consequent speed restrictions and single line sections are, I am sure, an operating challenge.

”Blunder“? Probably, this sentence tells you all you need to know: “This decision was largely governed by the political influence which subsequently operated so seriously for evil in the career of the New Zealand railways”. The cost of everything and the value of nothing. Plus ca change. “Irreparable?” Probably, as the cost to change gauges would be astronomical and highly disruptive.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Train journey times appear to be quite long. Do many fly for the longer distances?

 

[rototunablack5]

Yes, they do fly. By air, Hamilton-Wellington is quick but expensive. By train it’s slow and expensive. Driving to Wellington is just slow.

Hamilton-Auckland by train is slow and infrequent but at least it’s cheap although the “motorists” complain about the subsidy but are happy to sit in traffic jams on the Auckland motorways