Story: Canterbury region

New Zealand’s first public railway

New Zealand’s first public railway

This engraving, published in the Illustrated London News in 1864, depicts the 1863 opening of the railway linking Christchurch with Ferrymead. It was the first public railway in the colony.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0033-1864-241
Wood engraving by R. S. Kelly

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

John Wilson, 'Canterbury region - Transport', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/10334/new-zealands-first-public-railway (accessed 28 April 2024)

Story by John Wilson, reviewed & revised 6 Jul 2015