Throughout this article, the unqualified term "dollar" and the $ symbol refer to the New Zealand dollar

New Zealand dollar

The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....

.

The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust is a non-profit, charitable trust in New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 that was established in 2003 with the objective of reinstating an operating heritage railway over the Rimutaka Range

Rimutaka Range

The Rimutaka Range is one of several mountain ranges in the North Island of New Zealand which form a ridge running parallel with the east coast of the island between East Cape and Wellington.The ridge is at its most pronounced in the southern part of the island, where it consists of the Ruahine,...

s using the original route of the Wairarapa Line

Wairarapa Line

The Wairarapa Line is a secondary railway line in the south-east of the North Island of New Zealand, connecting the capital city of Wellington with the Wairarapa region. The line ends at Woodville, where it joins the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line...

 between Maymorn

Maymorn

Maymorn is a rural area of Upper Hutt city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. For statistical purposes, Maymorn is counted as part of Te Marua in the New Zealand census. The usual resident 2006 population of this area was 1,068...

 and Featherston

Featherston

Featherston is a name of English origin, at least as old as the 12th century. The link with "Featherstone" is probably not traceable, but people researching both spellings contribute to the collection of pages in the website called "The Featherstone Society".The name is applied to people and...

, including the world-famous Rimutaka Incline.

Foundation and objectives

The trust was formed by a steering committee that had earlier been established to investigate the proposal, and was composed mainly of members from existing rail heritage organisations.

It was established with the goal of realising the following objectives:

1. To plan, fund, reinstate and operate a tourist heritage railway on former railway route between Upper Hutt and Featherston, and any other directly or indirectly connected railway;
2. Acquire by agreement, lease or purchase such lands as are required to allow the reinstatement of the former railway route between Upper Hutt and Featherston and any other such lands as will further the objectives of the Trust;
3. Acquire by agreement, lease or purchase such items of railway rolling stock, tools and material to facilitate the construction and operation of the tourist heritage railway;
4. Raise funds for and facilitate the conservation and protection of the former railway route and heritage structures and features thereon;
5. To plan, fund and construct appropriate buildings, structures, infrastructure and facilities to facilitate the construction and operation of the tourist heritage railway;
6. To arrange interpretative displays for the public, to promote knowledge and education of heritage railways, and in particular the Rimutaka Incline Railway, the historic factors that led to its creation and raise awareness of the personalities involved;
7. Facilitate research, discussion, education and interchange of information on topics related to the Rimutaka Incline Railway and environs.

Timeline

Date	Event
	Official recognition of Historic Places Trust registration of the railway formation between Kaitoke and Cross Creek and Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand awards for restoration of two bridges on the route.
	Rimutaka Incline Railway Steering Committee formed at the behest of the Wellington Regional Council Landcare Committee to investigate how a tourist heritage railway might operate on the historic railway formation.
	Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust formed.
	Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust incorporated as a charitable trust.
	First trust meeting held.
	Economic feasibility report from BERL (Business and Economic Research Ltd.) released.
	Trust begins accepting memberships for new members.
	20-year License to Occupy for the Maymorn station precinct secured from Ontrack.
	"Turning of the first sod" ceremony held at Maymorn to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the line.
–	Six carriages, donated to the trust, relocated to the Maymorn yard.
	Three guards van modules donated to the trust.
	Hutt-Mana Charitable Trust grant of $4,000 received by the trust to contribute to the cost of erecting a security fence.
–	Two Q-class coal hopper wagons transported to Maymorn site.
	Charitable trust grants totalling $75,000 secured for the construction of a rail vehicle shed.
	New Zealand Community Trust grant of $4,000 received to purchase further security fencing materials.
	"Sponsor a length of track" campaign launched.
	Platelaying of sponsored track in the Maymorn yard begins.
	Donated former North Island Main Trunk sleeping carriage transported to Maymorn site.
	Resource Consent application for construction works at Maymorn lodged with Upper Hutt City Council.
	Lotteries Grants Board grant of $150,000 secured for costs associated with construction of rail vehicle shed.
	Eight of the YC class ballast wagons ordered by the trust arrive in Wellington.
	Three of the ballast wagons are transported to the Maymorn site.
	Interim Rail Service License secured from Land Transport New Zealand.
	Resource Consent for construction related to the trust's operations at Maymorn granted by the Upper Hutt City Council.
	Foundation stone ceremony held at Maymorn marking the start of construction on the rail vehicle shed.
	Full Rail Service License granted by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
	The Trust takes delivery of TR 937, formerly owned by KiwiRail.

Rail vehicle shed

The main rail vehicle shed is currently under construction with a machine shop annex in the planning stages.

Locomotives

Parts for Wb-class locomotives 292 & 299 have been acquired by the Trust with plans to eventually restore them to working order.

Locomotive TR 937 has been acquired from KiwiRail and, once restored, will be used for shunting and construction duties.

Two replica H-class "Fell" locomotives will be commissioned by the Trust to operate the incline section of their line for stage 3 of the project.

Wagons

The Trust has acquired 13 YC-class ballast wagons and 2 Q-class coal hopper wagons, currently located at their Maymorn site, and plans to use them in the construction of its line and for ongoing track maintenance.

Carriages

The Trust's fleet includes five 56-foot carriages and one 50-foot carriage. These vehicles will be restored after the rail vehicle shed is completed.

Maymorn station

A heritage-themed station based on the Troup-era Waimate station has been proposed for the Maymorn site. It is hoped to have this building completed by 2015.

Track

Two tracks have been laid east of the rail vehicle shed which are currently being used for vehicle storage. Tracks are also being laid in the rail vehicle shed as part of the construction of the shed's floor and inspection pits.

Two potential routes have been identified to connect the Trust's operation at the Maymorn site to the original railway formation.

Project

The trust proposes to progressively reinstate and operate the railway between Maymorn and Featherston in four stages, including:

• Stage 1, Upper Hutt to Summit: Reinstatement of railway line between new station at Maymorn and a station at Summit; operation using conventional motive power between Maymorn, Kaitoke and Summit; use of the national rail network between Upper Hutt and Maymorn.
• Stage 2, Wellington to Upper Hutt: Establishing links with Wellington to promote the railway as a tourist opportunity; possible operation on the national rail network between Wellington and Upper Hutt.
• Stage 3, Summit to Cross Creek: Reinstatement of the Rimutaka Incline between Summit and Cross Creek stations; operation using two new Fell locomotives and brake vans.
• Stage 4, Cross Creek to Featherston: Connection with the national rail network at or near Featherston; operation of return journeys to Featherston.

External links

• Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust. Official project/trust web site.
• Rimutaka rail pix's photostream. Photos of project progress.