Story: Railways

Surveying for the main trunk line

Surveying for the main trunk line

Surveyor Peter Keller (left) and his chainman Charlie Williams (centre) survey the main trunk line near Raurimu in 1906. They worked in isolation. The region was so impenetrable that when Keller was transferred from Taihape to Raurimu – a distance of less than 100 kilometres – he caught a train from Marton to New Plymouth, a steamer to Onehunga, and another train down to Taumarunui.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/4-MNZ-0699; F

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.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Neill Atkinson, 'Railways - Main trunk lines', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/21382/surveying-for-the-main-trunk-line (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Neill Atkinson, published 11 Mar 2010, reviewed & revised 11 Mar 2016