Whitecliffs Branch historical site
Historical railway site in New Zealand
43°29′18″S 172°06′23″E / 43.48826175066082°S 172.1063698116123°E / -43.48826175066082; 172.1063698116123
9 years, 4 months and 9 days
The Whitecliffs Branch historical site is an historical site containing the original, restored Homebush station building and a NZR type M wagon. The site was dedicated to the Whitecliffs Branch to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the line closing. It was officially opened on 6 February 2015 by Don Chambers at Westview Park, Darfield, New Zealand, near to the site of the junction (White Cliffs Junction/Horndon Junction/Darfield Junction).[1]
History
The Whitecliffs Branch was an 18.4 kilometres (11.4 mi) long branch line railway that formed part of New Zealand's national rail network in the Canterbury Region of the South Island.[2] It operated from November 1875 until March 1962. The predominant traffic on the line was lignite coal from the mines, with two private lines running to industries from the branch; one in Glentunnel for the Homebush Brick and Tile Company, and the other in Coalgate for the Homebush Coal Company.[3]
Construction
Homebush Station
Many of the Homebush Station buildings were erected during the 1870s; the property is located at 2142 Homebush Road. The homestead itself was built between 1904 and 1909.[4] It was donated by the Slattery Family estate and restored to its 1947 appearance, with help from Jack Blair and Brian Marsh.[1]
NZR M Wagon
The NZR M type Wagon (No. M141) was built in 1900 at the Hillside Workshops in Dunedin. It was decommissioned in October 1970 and then used at the Islington New Zealand Electricity Department (NZED) substation yard to transport electricity department poles and equipment. The wagon was purchased by Matthew Williams in 1992 from Transpower after the siding was removed from the substation.
The wagon originally had an Australian hard wood deck, but was replaced with pinus during restoration. Restoration of the wagon was completed by Matthew Williams.[5]
Other features
Two other features included in the historical site are:
- Points lever donated by the Russell Williams Museum
- Rail set donated by the Canterbury Steam Preservation Society (McLeans Island Steamscene)
References
- ^ a b Caddick, Kent (11 February 2015). "Rail line memorial opens". The Record. p. 6. Retrieved 1 October 2021 – via Issuu.
- ^ Bromby, Robin (2003). Rails that built a Nation: An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Railways. Wellington: Grantham House. p. 86. ISBN 1-86934-080-9.
- ^ Churchman, Geoffrey B; Hurst, Tony (2001) [1990, 1991]. The Railways of New Zealand: A Journey through History (Second ed.). Transpress New Zealand. p. 183. ISBN 0-908876-20-3.
- ^ "Homebush Station". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ White Cliffs Branch line Memorial Site Official Opening 6/2/2015, retrieved 4 January 2024
External links
- Canterbury Steam Preservation Society (McLeans Island Steamscene)
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| Malvern Ward |
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| Selwyn Central Ward | |||||
| Springs Ward |
- Arthur's Pass
- Broken River
- Cass River
- Castle Hill
- Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai
- Hawkins River
- Hororata River
- Kowai River
- L II River
- Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
- Lake Lyndon
- Porter River
- Porters Pass
- Selwyn River
- Waianiwaniwa River
- Arthur Dudley Dobson Memorial
- Burnham Military Camp
- Craigieburn Forest Park
- Homebush Homestead
- Hororata Highland Games
- Little River Rail Trail
- McHughs Forest Park
- Midland Rail Heritage Trust
- R. F. Joyce Observatory
- RNZAF Station Te Pirita
- Springfield Doughnut
- St John's Church
- St Joseph's Church
- Terrace Station Homestead
- The Station
- West Melton Aerodrome
- Whitecliffs Branch historical site
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