Otago Railscene

Railway lines in Otago cross varied terrain: from seaside lines to twisting river gorges and rolling hills. Traffic isn’t dense but there’s some variety.

The Waitaki River is the northern boundary of the Otago region. This train has already crossed into Otago and is now hurtling along the river plains north of Oamaru. The loco is DFT7199, an engine featured in many photos on this site. [Sep 2007]

Before the railway line reaches Oamaru, it passes the freezing works at Pukeuri. A DSC locomotive shunts on the tracks of the Pukeuri Freezing works. [Oct 2021].
In Oamaru a second loco is added to the train for the hilly section to Dunedin. Not that the small train that Saturday would have required two engines, but the DC would have been scheduled to return to Dunedin. [Sep 2007]
After dropping some waggons off in Oamaru, the train south is even shorter. Here the DFT - DC combination has just accelerated from the station and makes its way through Oamaru. [Sep 2007]
In Oamaru there's a tourist railway running from the city centre to the old port and quarry, where the famous penguin colony is located. It also runs through the historic harbourside precinct, centre of steampunk and Victorian fashion in New Zealand.

The tourist railway often uses a shunting tractor as its motive power. [Feb 2013]

Steam locomotive B 10 is also sometimes used on the Oamaru Steam & Rail Society line. This is an industrial steam locomotive which worked from 1930 to 1967 at Milburn Lime works, before moving to North Otago. Here it is at the Harbourside Station, which is right beside the main line in Oamaru, but some distance from the Oamaru Railway Station. [Oct 2006].
The journey continues further south. Train 961 is approaching Maheno. [Sep 2007]
Just north of Palmerston the railway line runs close to the beach with the main road sandwiched between them. A DX locomotive leads a container train south on a winter evening. The DC class engine in second position gives the necessary grunt to lift the train over the many gradients on the way to Dunedin. [Jun 2005]
As the railway line turns inland towards Palmerston, it crosses the meandering Shag River. DFT 7199 hauls a train southwards on a grey summer morning. [Dez 2004]
Just north of Palmerston at Bushey a freight train headed by a DFT in Toll livery and a DC in TranzRail bumble-bee livery waits in the loop to cross another train. [Sep 2007]
The Taieri Gorge Railway, operating from Dunedin, runs its Seasider train along the coast north of Dunedin to Palmerston about once a week. Here, the train is seen arriving in Palmerston. [Apr 2006]
The Taieri Gorge Railway also operates the occasional special train on the line north. This train brought spectators to the Waikouaiti Races on New Year's Day. Because there is no loop at Waikouaiti, the train ran on to Palmerston, where the engine could run around to the other side, and the train could wait in the loop until it was time to pick up the travellers from Waikouaiti again. [Jan 2013]
In the KiwiRail era Palmerston continued to be important for the transfer of gold-bearing mine excavations, which were then trucked to Macrae's Mine from there. There they were processed to sluice out the gold.
A tamper waits in the loop, while DFT 7199 and a DXC5206 pick up a few wagons with empty gold-soil hoppers. These tampers maintain the stability of the track bed and can be seen throughout the network. When ONTRACK took over maintenance of railway lines once again, the quality of track increased after a time of neglect. KiwiRail has largely continued a good investment in track maintenance. [Jun 2013]
DFT 7199 is the star in several photos on these pages. It was and is still active on most of the South Island lines, but I mostly met it between Christchurch and Dunedin. This time I encountered it in Palmerston in KiwiRail livery, not the light blue in which I met it so many times before. In the background is the monument to the liberal government minister Mackenzie. [Jun 2013]
I also encountered our photogenic star a little further south. Several years earlier DFT 7199 climbs up the bank near Karitane in Otago. While the road takes a route further inland, the railway line runs along the coast to reach Dunedin from the North. It snakes along cliffs, bluffs and bays. While this may make it a very scenic line, it makes it also very slow. And today mainly container trains run here, with the odd excursion train. [Dec 2004]
The line travels around the shore of Blueskin Bay, named after a heavily-tatooed Māori chief. A southbond freight train led by DXB 5097 is seen at Waitati. [Oct 2021].
From Blueskin Bay the railway line takes a circuitous route over the steep hills to the Otago Harbour. Returning to the train featured in the first few photos we see DFT 7199 again, hauling a train with DC4640 along the cliff's edge. [Sep 2007]
This picture shows some of the scenery on the railway line between Dunedin and Palmerston. That's why the Taieri Gorge Railway runs the Seasider along the coast. Here the Seasider has just exited Cliffs Tunnel and runs high above Blueskin Bay at Doctor’s Point. [Jan 2006]
Between Waitati and Port Chalmers the train passes through countryside hardly accessible by road. Here the Seasider travels through regenerating bush near Mihiwaka. [Jan 2006]
Between Sawyers Bay and Dunedin the railway line runs along the northwestern bays of the Otago Harbour on a series of causeways. Here a DFT and a DX haul a train north across the causeway at Burkes. This picture was taken during the Dunedin Railway Station Centenary when this regular freight train had to make use of a gap between the many steam trains running over that weekend. [Oct 2006]
From 2012 onwards the Seasider was regularly operated by a Silver Fern railcar, which also enabled short trips to Waitati. Here the railcar to Waitati runs across the causeway at Burkes. [Jul 2016].
Dunedin Railways have leased one of the Silver Fern Railcars and operates it on excursions from Dunedin. Here it stands on the platform of the Dunedin Railway Station. It was due to leave on a short run to Waitati. Unfortunately, there were engine problems and the railcar finally had to be towed away by a diesel locomotive. [Dec 2012]
Dunedin Railway Station – the impressive building is now over 100 years old. It is the base of Dunedin Railways, formerly known as Taieri Gorge Railway. When the Otago Central Line was closed in 1990, the Otago Excursion Train Trust together with the Dunedin City Council set up the Taieri Gorge Railway to run excursion trains through the scenic Taieri Gorge along the line to Middlemarch. These trains now run daily, leaving the historic Dunedin Railway station and making their way inland. They have both modern air-conditioned carriages as well as vintage rolling stock. Most of the trains only run through to Pukerangi covering the most scenic portion of the line. Here a Taieri Gorge Limited sits at the main platform of the station. It is now the only regular passenger train using the station. [Oct 2024].
In 2014 Taieri Gorge Railway rebranded as Dunedin Railways. Many of the carriages now have the new design. [Jul 2016].
The mosaic floor of the Dunedin Railway Station. [Dec 2012].
After running through Dunedin’s southern suburbs, the Taieri Gorge Limited plunges through the Chain Hills tunnel (888m long) to emerge on the Taieri Plains. In Wingatui the Taieri Gorge Railway separates from the main line and continues to the gorge. Here a DJ hauls the Taieri Gorge Limited out of the tunnel towards Wingatui with the long hood leading. [Oct 2004]
Two trains cross at North Taieri, where the line briefly runs across the Taieri Plains. [Dec 2012]
The Taieri Gorge Limited is about to go over the Wingatui Viaduct. It is 197 m long and stands up to 47 m above the stream below. [Oct 2024].
A rainy day aboard the Taieri Gorge Limited. [Dec 2012].
This is a passenger's view on the Taieri Gorge Limited as the Dj engine crosses one of the many stone and iron bridges on the line. [Dec 2012]
The Taieri Gorge is spectacular and remote. However, here in Hindon there is road access and the bridge over the Taieri River is a combined rail/road bridge. Early on a Sunday afternoon a solitary DJ hauls the Taieri Gorge Limited over the bridge towards Dunedin. [Jan 2006]
This train passes through Hindon station. In the station yard are some track maintenance waggons. [Jan 2006].
The second train of the day has passed Hindon and now travels further up in the Taieri Gorge. [Jan 2006].
Late in the afternoon the train returns from Pukerangi. Here it is just approaching Hindon from the North, with sheep scampering off the rails. [Jan 2006]
An aerial view of the Taieri Gorge with the railway line winding its way along the slopes above the river. I had the good fortune of being flown above the area by a good friend. Unfortunately we didn't see a train that day. [Apr 2005].
A Dj locomotive crosses Flat Stream Viaduct with the Taieri Gorge Limited. The abbreviation TGR - Taieri Gorge Railway - was painted on the long hood of the locomotive. Passengers were set down for this photo stop. [Feb 1998]
Most trains end in Pukerangi, where the line exits from the Taieri Gorge. The engine runs around the train for the trip back to Dunedin. Even though we are only a few hundred metres above sea level, the wide, open tussock landscape gives this area a high country feel. [Dec 2012]
When the COVID pandemic struck in March 2020, Dunedin Railways made most of its staff redundant and there was talk of closing the whole operation. Somehow it survived this time, despite what some say excessive management panic, and slowly the trains returned to Hindon. The line between Hindon and Pukerangi was mothballed. On 12 October 2024 the line between Hindon and Pukerangi was opened again. The first official train has arrived in Pukerangi. [Oct 2024].
DJ 1227 and DJ 1240 have run around the train in Pukerangi and coupled back onto the train. The locomotive crew is moving its equipment from one cab to the other. The track between Pukerangi and Middlemarch has not yet reopened. [Oct 2024].
From Wingatui the main line runs further south through Mosgiel and the Strath Taieri. Here a freight train, hauled by a DX / DC combination, is making its way along shallow Lake Waihola. [Dec 2004]
Most of the branch lines were closed from the 1960s onward. One line that did not survive is the Roxburgh Branch which left the South Island Main Trunk near Milton. Signs of the railway can still be seen. In Waitahuna the railway station and goods shed stand forlorn but very prominent in a paddock, though slowly deterioating through neglect. [Oct 2004]
Dunedin Railway Station is without doubt New Zealand’s architecturally most impressive railway station. With its towers, artistic masonry and ornate interior it evokes the grandeur of rail travel. Stately, yet graceful, it could have come straight out of a fairytale. It was designed by George Troup and completed in 1906. [Oct 2024].
For such a remarkable station, it was only appropriate that its centenary in 2006 should be celebrated in great style. For Labour Weekend 2006 (21st to 23rd October), the Taieri Gorge Railway, which operates from Dunedin, organised a great railway festival. Seven steam locomotives came together from all over the country. Three vintage diesels participated and Toll Rail also sent along two diesels in their new colour scheme. [Oct 2006] .
On Saturday, the 21st, there was a great parade at the station as each of the participating engines rolled in. Speeches were held and a birthday cake cut. The crowds milled around marvelling at the locomotives and enjoying the activities. The weather wasn’t brilliant. Here is the parade of locomotives headed by A67 on display at the station. [Oct 2006]
Later on that day Harbourside Excursions along the Otago Harbour to Sawyers Bay were run. They continued throughout the weekend and thousands made the journey on this scenic rail line. Here’s Ja1271 with the first excursion on the causeway near Burkes. [Oct 2006]
The day turned wet and windy. Some trains were double-headed. Here Ab663 and Jb1236 return to Dunedin through Ravensbourne (my old abode during student days). [Oct 2006]
Wab 794 crossing the causeway near Burkes. [Oct 2006]
Here Wab 794 is on its return journey to Dunedin on the cuaseway between Roseneath and St, Leonards. [Oct 2006]
The last train of the day was hauled by vintage diesels De1337 and Dj1240. It seems this train was not such a crowd puller, as the carriages were fairly empty and fewer photographers lined the way. [Oct 2006]
Still, all credit has to be given to the Taieri Gorge Railway for restoring the locomotives so splendidly and recreating the original colour scheme. On this wet evening, the Dj leads the train over the causeway between Roseneath and St Leonards. [Oct 2006]
The weather on Sunday turned out a lot better. There was a steam-hauled train to Middlemarch and other trains running to the Hillside workshops. Unfortunately I also had other commitments that day, so wasn’t only out to take train pictures. The Harbourside Excursions continued. Here Ja 1271 has arrived at the Dunedin Railway Station. [Oct 2006]
I did not yet have a good zoom lens, so this is a rather panoramic view of Jb1236 hauling her train tender first along the Ravensbourne seashore, as seen from the other side of the harbour near Macandrew Bay. [Oct 2006]
The crowds on the platform of Dunedin Railway Station were great throughout the weekend. [Oct 2006]
That's what the train with Jb 1236 looked like going from Dunedin to Sawyer's Bay. Here it passes through Ravensbourne. [Oct 2006]
Rogers locomotive K88 puffed around the railway station yards, showing off the distinctive lines of an American-built engine of the 19th century. She was one of the original express engines that ran along the main line between Christchurch and Dunedin. [Oct 2006]
Ab663 has returned with the train from Middlemarch. [Oct 2006]
And then the Monday dawned. The first train of the day was hauled by Wab794. Here she steams along the St Leonards shoreline. Both TranzScenic and Otago Excursion Train Trust carriages were used. [Oct 2006]
The train steams away from St Leonards. [Oct 2006]
AB 663 also hauled a train to Sayer's Bay. Here, it is on the causeway near Burkes. [Oct 2006]
While the Ja was on its way to Invercargill, the Jb hauled most of the excursions to Sawyers Bay. The train from Dunedin crosses the causeway near Roseneath. [Oct 2006]
At Sawyer's Bay Jb 1236 runs around its train to haul it back to Dunedin. [Oct 2006]
The engines had to run through Roseneath tunnel to be able to change onto the other line again. Here, Jb 1236 steams towards the tunnel and then to Sawyer's Bay to couple onto the wagons. [Oct 2006]
For the return journey I positioned myself above the Roseneath tunnel entrance. The earth shook as the Jb hauled the train underneath me. Moments later a cloud of steam and smoke rose up. As the steam continued to pour out of the tunnel, I could just hear, not see, the train any longer. [Oct 2006]
I was not there to take pictures of the last excursion as I decided to take another ride. And so along with my wee nephew, I enjoyed another train ride joining the staff of Taieri Gorge Railway who had worked so hard over the weekend.
On the Tuesday the trains headed north. Ab663 and Wab794 thunder up the steep incline above Careys Bay. The hills around the harbour form a barrier, that can only be crossed by a very tortuous, but scenic route. [Oct 2006]
The two locomotives have rounded the curve and are about to enter the Mihiwaka tunnel. The carriages reflect the morning sun as the columns of steam indicate how hard the engines have to work to haul the train on this gradient.
Thanks to the farmer who allowed me onto his property to shoot these pictures. [Oct 2006]
That day the Taieri Gorge Railway also ran a Seasider Excursion to Palmerston. The train winds its way along the coast near Puketeraki above Karitane. [Oct 2006]
I had long wanted to take a picture of a train with the nice Maheno church in the background. And this train proved to be the perfect opportunity. Ja1271 and Jb1236 rumble over the bridge near Maheno on their way north from Dunedin. [Oct 2006].

Though technically located in Otago, Kingston Flyer photos can be found on the Southland page.