Weka Pass Railway

Beginnings

The first stage of the Waiau Branch line inland through the Weka Pass to Waikari was completed in 1882. This area is noted for its scenery and the railway passes through many large cuttings, around tight curves and on steep gradients (max 1 in 47). When originally built the line was expected to be part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway north of the city of Christchurch. Further sections of the line through Hawarden, Medbury, Balmoral, Pahau, Culverden, Achray, Rotherham and Waiau were constructed in subsequent years. The line was officially opened to Medbury in 1884 and to Culverden in 1886 but the final section to Waiau was not completed until 1919. In the 1920s the decision was made to take the Main North Line on a coastal route north out of Waipara. The Main North Line, which involved major earthworks and many engineering difficulties, was not completed until 1945.

The Waiau Branch suffered the fate of many rural branch lines in later years as increasing competition from road transport saw a decline in traffic carried. For many years the railways were protected from this competition by mileage limits; as these were gradually increased, more and more branches were closed. The branch had a short reprieve in its twilight years when large amounts of logs were carried from the Balmoral forest. Closure occurred in January 1978.

Following the closure the line gradually decayed. All of the track remained in place except for the removal of a level crossing at Waikari where the road crossed State Highway 7. Some of the station buildings were removed or demolished soon after the closure. The mainline connection along with some of the associated sidings remained in place at Waipara and the line was occasionally used as a backshunt when long trains were crossed there. The national railway union banned the removal of the track for a period of five years after the closure. However tenders were called for the first demolition work in August 1982. That part of the line which was not purchased for preservation was lifted in stages around 1982/83, including the large bridges at the Hurunui and Pahau Rivers.

Formation

A public meeting at Waipara in August 1982 saw a steering committee established to investigate the Weka Pass Railway proposal. There had been interest from a number of people in preserving part of this old branch line particularly in the scenic Weka Pass. The impetus came from local Waipara people who saw the tourist potential, and railway enthusiasts, many drawn from the Ferrymead Railway. The Society was formally established in December of that year. The new group began negotiating with NZ Railways and other parties to purchase track, locomotives, rolling stock and other facilities. In May 1983 the first major public event the "Mayfair" was held and featured the operation of locomotives and rolling stock from Ferrymead and McLeans Island Steamscene. December 1983 saw the arrival of the first of the locomotives and rolling stock. The society also negotiated the purchase of the first 30 km of the branch line from Waipara to the south bank of the Hurunui River. In 1984 the society began to operate trains in its own right on the first 2 km of the line, later extended to Frog Rock. Later that year the historic steam locomotive K 88 operated passenger trains on the line. By April 1985 passengers were able to be carried by train to Herberts Crossing where trolleys and an inspection car operated to Waikari. Train running was extended to Waikari by December of that year.

The Railway suffered a major setback in 1986 when heavy rain damaged the line in a number of places. It was decided to close the line for major repairs. Also at this time the future of the line beyond Waikari, at which it was bisected by the state highway where the track had been removed, was reassessed. Over the next two years the members decided to lift all of the track beyond Waikari. Major repair works and earthworks were also carried out between Waipara and Waikari to remedy longstanding problems resulting from ground movement and slipping. Extensive track repairs included the use of salvaged materials from the lifted portion of line. By April 1987 trains were again running to the 5.5 km peg. The railway's first station at Glenmark (Waipara) was then under construction. Track removal beyond Waikari began in 1986 at Medbury and continued back to Waikari where this work was finally completed in 1991.

Consolidation

The second decade of the Weka Pass Railway has been one largely of consolidation of the previous work, rather than major developments. One of its biggest achievements was the restoration of steam locomotive A 428 which was completed in 1993. An ongoing activity during that era has been the continued track refurbishment which saw the line reopened in stages, reaching Frog Rock in 1991 and Herberts Crossing in 1992. A massive reconstruction of the formation and track at Waikari, together with the purchase and erection of another station building, saw the line finally reopened in 1999, at which time it was also formally opened. The 1990s also saw the development of the popular and successful Waipara Vintage Festivals, which have been held every two years since 1995 and have featured locomotives and rolling stock from around New Zealand.

Track and buildings

The Weka Pass Railway owns approximately 13 km of branch line track between Waipara and its terminus at Waikari. Station buildings, yards and associated facilities have been constructed at Glenmark (Waipara) and Waikari, the latter including a turntable. The 1939 Waikari station is a standard class A station, moved from Hundalee. There is also a depot located in the old Waipara railyard where an engine shed, carriage repair depot and hall are located along with various storage sidings. The railway also has a connection to the Main North Line via the Waipara crossing loop. Signalling equipment has been installed at Waipara station along with tablet machines. A system using telephones and VHF radio communication with their own repeater controls the operations of trains on the line. A new turntable at the Waipara end of the line was commissioned in 2009, enabling the locomotive to be turned to face the correct way at each end of the preserved railway. A new raised water vat at Waipara is in use.

Operations and Membership

The Railway is fully operated by volunteers. These volunteers come from all walks of life and have diverse and varied interests within the railway. Trackwork enthusiasts can lead a hand on a Wednesday work train, however the majority of work occurs on Saturdays where activities range from shunting movements to engineering. Complimentary training is offered in both correspondence form, and through one-on-one and group lecturing. No fees occur (except for the issue of steam locomotive firemans and drivers certificate, assessed by an external examiner) for these services.

On Running days, the following positions are available:

Train Control

On the Weka Pass Railway, Track Authority Control is used to ensure safety of trains between the Glenmark and Waikari station limits. The Train Control manager is responsible for issuing track authorities and for ensuring safe movements up the single line. They communicate with train operating parties (including Gate Keepers) via radio.

Guard

The Guard is responsible for the running of trains. Their duties include but are not limited to carrying out terminal/intermediate brake tests, clipping passenger tickets, and managing crowds during photo-runs. They are also able to engage in conversation with passengers, or simply, enjoy the views from the guards van or A^T viewing cars. Put simply, they are responsible for the safe running of each train service.

Assistant Guard(s)

Assistant Guards are unqualified/ trainee members who assist the Guard with completing his duties

Locomotive Driver

The Locomotive Drivers duty is to prepare and maneuver the locomotive. He/she is responsible to ensure that all necessary steps are taken in the preparation of the locomotive and is in charge of physically maneuvering the locomotive. As the line is steeply graded, he must be very careful to ensure that the locomotive does not slip, and he must ensure that the fireman has maintained sufficient water level in the boiler before cresting Timpledean- to prevent crown sheet damage and fusible plug fusion. Braking must also be managed when travelling downhill.

Locomotive Assistant

The Locomotive Assistant (fireman)s duty is to assist the driver with the safe and efficient operation of the locomotive. They perform controlled firing to raise sufficient steam pressure for the drivers usage. They can be though of as a first officer, assisting the driver and watching the road ahead.

Locomotive Trainee

Unqualified/Junior Firemen are rostered as Locomotive Trainees. They ride with the engine crews in the cab and are able to practice firing techniques, often on the Whistle Board Cutting - Waikari section. Qualified Locomotive Assistants and Drivers supervise these members and give tips and advice to assist the trainee. The trainees are also trained to prepare appliances such as the Detroit Lubricator and the Westinghouse Brake Pumps.

PPA

During times of high demand, PPA (Preparing and Putting Away) assistants are rostered to help out with operations. This is to allow duties to be completed faster, allowing loco crew shifts to be completed within 10 hours.

Gate Keeper

When the Weka Pass Railway society was formed, much of the original railway formation was already divided onto private land. As a result, the modern day railway passes over several farms. Gate Keepers are responsible for ensuring that livestock does not move from paddock to paddock, and they must report to train control if stock are protruding the line. Two gates are permanently manned: one just before Antills Hut, and another just north of the Whistle Board Cutting. There are a two custom-built huts (which replaced older custom built huts circa 2005) at each "manned" gate. Both are named after two late members respectfully.

Locomotives and rolling stock

The railway presently owns four locomotives, all formerly owned by the New Zealand Government Railways, and a large fleet of ex-NZR rolling stock.

Locomotives and Rolling Stock that have visited

Since the railway was formed, there has been several locos and rolling that have visited. Most have been during the 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001 Waipara Vintage Festivals, but there has been a couple of locos that have visited for other purposes.

Locomotives

Railcars

Carriages, Vans and Wagons

The Weka Pass Railway has had many carriage and vans that were owned by other groups and preservation societies being hauled up the line. Most visiting carriages were from the Otago Excursion Train Trust during the Waipara Vintage Festivals. Passengers have also travelled up the line in 56-foot carriages from Tranz Scenic (now KiwiRail Scenic Journeys) and several 50-foot ex- North Island Main Trunk wide body carriages they were owned by Steam Incorporated and the Railway Enthusiasts Society. There has been a few wagons that have also visited that follow mainline certified steam locomotives for servicing purposes. The WPR has also had several ballast wagons from Tranz Rail (now KiwiRail) to re-ballast the line to Waikari.

Track Maintenance Vehicles

Following the scrapping of the WPRs Plasser and Theurer type 04 tamper, it has been easier to hire a tamper and regulator for any maintenance work from KiwiRail.