Culverden Express
Encyclopedia
The Culverden Express was a passenger train
operated by the New Zealand Railways Department
between Christchurch
and Culverden
. It ran from 1886 until its replacement by the Picton Express
in 1945 and its route followed both the Main North Line and the Waiau Branch
. In the mid-1920s, the main northern terminus became Parnassus
, and to reflect this, the name was changed to the Parnassus Express.
, an express passenger train began operating between the two towns. It was the most important passenger train in the northern Canterbury
region and it received modern rolling stock and steam locomotives, such as the UB class of 1899. In 1919, when the railway was extended beyond Culverden to Waiau, the express's operation was extended too: it ran twice daily between Christchurch and Culverden, continuing thrice weekly through to Waiau.
, where the Main North Line turned inland to run through the Weka Pass
to Culverden. This line reached Parnassus
in 1912. Initially, the service to Culverden remained the main express, with carriages for Parnassus detached at Waipara and operated separately through to Parnassus. However, in the mid-1920s, Parnassus became the primary terminus, with the carriages detached in Waipara now conveyed to Culverden. The name of the train was changed to the Parnassus Express to reflect the alteration. This train was used for trials of the 'Midland Red' paint scheme to replace the Railways Department's former olive green with yellow trim livery; this paint scheme later came to be used nationwide through to the 1990s.
bus operations were actively encouraged, resulting in a stark decline in passenger demand on the Waipara-Culverden-Waiau route on what was now the Waiau Branch. In 1914, 20,000 passengers were carried, but by 1938, this figure was down to 3,000 annually and passenger services on the Waiau Branch were cancelled on 29 January 1939. The service to Parnassus continued to operate until the Main North Line was completed in full from Christchurch to Picton
in December 1945. With the full line open, the Parnassus train was replaced by the Picton Express.
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
operated by the New Zealand Railways Department
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
between Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
and Culverden
Culverden
Culverden is a small town in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. The 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings had a usually-resident population of 420. This represented an increase of 7% or 27 people from the previous census in 2001.Culverden is located on State Highway...
. It ran from 1886 until its replacement by the Picton Express
Picton Express
The Picton Express was a passenger express train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between Christchurch and Picton. It ran from December 1945 until February 1956, and was thus the shortest-lived provincial express in New Zealand.- Introduction :...
in 1945 and its route followed both the Main North Line and the Waiau Branch
Waiau Branch
The Waiau Branch was a branch line railway in the northern Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. Known as the Great Northern Railway for its first few decades of life, the Waiau Branch was seen as part of a main line north but was ultimately superseded by a coastal route...
. In the mid-1920s, the main northern terminus became Parnassus
Parnassus, New Zealand
Parnassus is a town located in the Canterbury region's Hurunui District on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is located on the north bank of the Waiau River and the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings gave its usually resident population as 900, a decline of 6.8% or...
, and to reflect this, the name was changed to the Parnassus Express.
Introduction
On 8 February 1886, the railway line from Christchurch to Culverden was opened. Initially envisaged as part of the main route north to MarlboroughMarlborough, New Zealand
Marlborough is one of the regions of New Zealand, located in the northeast of the South Island. Marlborough is a unitary authority, both a region and a district, and its council is located at Blenheim. Marlborough is known for its dry climate, the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, and sauvignon blanc...
, an express passenger train began operating between the two towns. It was the most important passenger train in the northern Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
region and it received modern rolling stock and steam locomotives, such as the UB class of 1899. In 1919, when the railway was extended beyond Culverden to Waiau, the express's operation was extended too: it ran twice daily between Christchurch and Culverden, continuing thrice weekly through to Waiau.
A new route
In 1900, work began on a coastal route north of WaiparaWaipara
Waipara is a small town in north Canterbury, on the banks of the Waipara River.It is at the junction of State Highways 1 and 7 60 kilometres north of Christchurch...
, where the Main North Line turned inland to run through the Weka Pass
Weka Pass
Weka Pass is a gorge located in the northern Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island between the towns of Waipara and Waikari.The Waipara River cut the Weka Pass by wearing down the soft limestone and mudstone in the area. Erosion has created a number of distinctive limestone formations in...
to Culverden. This line reached Parnassus
Parnassus, New Zealand
Parnassus is a town located in the Canterbury region's Hurunui District on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is located on the north bank of the Waiau River and the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings gave its usually resident population as 900, a decline of 6.8% or...
in 1912. Initially, the service to Culverden remained the main express, with carriages for Parnassus detached at Waipara and operated separately through to Parnassus. However, in the mid-1920s, Parnassus became the primary terminus, with the carriages detached in Waipara now conveyed to Culverden. The name of the train was changed to the Parnassus Express to reflect the alteration. This train was used for trials of the 'Midland Red' paint scheme to replace the Railways Department's former olive green with yellow trim livery; this paint scheme later came to be used nationwide through to the 1990s.
Replacement
The Culverden route gradually declined in importance as Parnassus became the primary terminus and work began on the coastal route as the line to the north. The New Zealand Railways Road ServicesNew Zealand Railways Road Services
The New Zealand Railways Road Services was a branch of the New Zealand Railways Department and later the New Zealand Railways Corporation. It operated long-distance, tourist and suburban bus services and freight trucking and parcel services.-History:...
bus operations were actively encouraged, resulting in a stark decline in passenger demand on the Waipara-Culverden-Waiau route on what was now the Waiau Branch. In 1914, 20,000 passengers were carried, but by 1938, this figure was down to 3,000 annually and passenger services on the Waiau Branch were cancelled on 29 January 1939. The service to Parnassus continued to operate until the Main North Line was completed in full from Christchurch to Picton
Picton, New Zealand
Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
in December 1945. With the full line open, the Parnassus train was replaced by the Picton Express.