Story: South Canterbury region

Opening the branch line

Opening the branch line

This decorated locomotive was a feature at the opening of the branch line to Waimate in 1877. The railway was built to encourage rural settlement and carry goods to and from urban markets and ports. By the 1960s improved motor transport and roads had made the branch lines unprofitable, and they were closed.

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How to cite this page:

John Wilson, 'South Canterbury region - Transport and towns', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11395/opening-the-branch-line (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by John Wilson, updated 1 Feb 2017