Blenheim Riverside Railway
The Blenheim Riverside Railway (BRRS or BRR for short) is a narrow gauge (24 inch) heritage railway located in Blenheim, New Zealand and runs down the Taylor River which winds its way through the middle of the town. It is operated by the all-volunteer Blenheim Riverside Railway Society.
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[edit] History
The Railway was founded in 1985 by the Marlborough Historical Society, and two years later track laying commenced. In 1988 motor trolleys started running to Chinaman's Creek Crossing. Four carriages were built in 1989/90 with parts from the Lake Grassmere salt collection railway, and the A & G Price locomotive was restored and put into service. Also in 1989 the line was finished to Fulton Station from Chinaman's Creek Crossing, reaching the 4.5 km mark. The railway officially opened on Labour Weekend 1990. The first station resembled a lemonade stall, and the platform was only sleepers laid next to the track. In 1995 Beaver Station (as it was then known, now Brayshaw Station) was constructed, with an extension of track from the workshop requiring a cutting and embankment with a steep gradient. Previously, the railway was seen to have a negative impact on the park. In 1997 the locomotive "Murray" was restored to operational condition. In 2005 the track was extended to the current terminus at Riverside Park - where the railway was planned to go from the start. Over the years the workshops have been enlarged, and concrete sleepers made by the volunteer members have been used to replace wooden ones first used on the line. In September 2010 the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary.
[edit] Route
The railway line follows the Taylor River from Brayshaw Park in the southwest of Blenheim to Beaver Station (beside where the River Queen docks at Riverside Park). The track stays to the east side of the river until about halfway along the line, where it crosses the Taylor River for the rest of the route. There are passing loops at both ends, as well as Chinaman's Creek Crossing, and Fulton Station, both being former termini of the line. The total route is roughly 5.5 km long. There are 6 bridges on the line but there are no tunnels, although the track passes underneath 5 road bridges. At Beaver Station the line passes under the Main North Line Taylor River bridge.
[edit] Coordinates of terminal stations
- Brayshaw Park station: 41°31′54″S 173°56′23″E / 41.531551°S 173.939602°E
- Beaver station: 41°30′43″S 173°57′36″E / 41.512°S 173.9599°E
[edit] Track
The track is made of mainly 55/56-pound-per-yard (27 kg/m) rail, on top of concrete sleepers that have been designed and made by members of the railway. Currently sections of 330 m track upgrades are in progress, replacing old wooden sleepers and also laying down new ballast. The whole track itself is buried in the soil, with only the railheads visible,as the route is on a floodway. This is also for looks as the area is used by the public as a park - the Taylor River Reserve.
[edit] Omaka Branch extension
There is a 800 m (half-mile) extension currently being planned, crossing the Taylor River by means of culvert and along to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka Airfield. The first two turnouts are in place for the junction of the branch and the next one (to make a wye) is not far off.
[edit] Locomotives
The railway has two locomotives, A & G Price No. 166, a 6.5 tonne, 0-4-0 diesel-mechanical from the Ohai coal mines (only one of three built). During 2010 it was refurbished with a new engine and renamed 'George'. It is now powered by an Isuzu diesel with automatic transmission. The other loco is a Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0, 5.5 tonne, diesel-mechanical named "Murray" (no. 170204) powered by a 3-cylinder Lister JP engine, which worked at the Milton Lime works. It was regauged from 2' 6" by the BRRS. Being restored is a 0-4-2 steam locomotive, 'Donald' from the Puponga Coal Mine in Puponga, near Collingwood. Also a Railcar propelled by a 2.0L Toyota diesel engine made by a member of the Society is sometimes used.
[edit] Rolling stock
The main passenger carriages (which there are four of) seat 24 people in 4-person bench seat configuration. They are all built to the same design except for carriage No. 4, which is the same except it has an underslung compartment for jacks etc. for assistance in a derailment or the like. All passenger rolling stock is fully air braked. In the track work-train there are typically the following wagons: a ballast wagon, two flat deck wagons , a tool wagon and a staff car. There is a six man jigger, two man and a four man jigger, all ex NZR, along with a hand trolley. Also a track sprayer wagon and a grass mower on railway wheels, bolster bogies capable of carrying a digger and also other storage wagons.
[edit] Equipment/facilities
The railway has a tractor and digger for any excavation work, with all track work being done by volunteers with handtools. The workshop has a pit, and small turntable for wagons/jiggers etc.
[edit] External links
- Google Map of the line
- Youtube Video of the railway
- BRRS Main Website
- An overview of the railway
- Discussion Yahoo group
- Locomotive info- 1/2 way down page
- List of wagons, carriages etc.-3/4 down page
