NZHistory.net.nz, New Zealand history online - transport

Tangiwai railway disaster

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

At 10.21 p.m. on Christmas Eve 1953 the Wellington–Auckland night express plunged into the flooded Whangaehu River at Tangiwai, 10 kilometres west of Waiouru in the central North Island. Of the 285 passengers on board, 151 died in New Zealand's worst railway accident.

Railway stations

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Down at the station

Flag-station, West Coast

For many years the railway station was a prominent and familiar landmark in New Zealand cities, towns and rural districts. Before most people had cars or telephones, let alone television and the Internet, the railway provided many communities with their main connection to the outside world.

In the 1950s New Zealand had more than 1350 railway stations, ranging from grand urban monuments to tiny weatherboard sheds. As passenger numbers declined and rail services were cut over the following decades, many stations became redundant. Hundreds were closed and demolished; others suffered from problems with vandalism and graffiti.

New Zealand disasters timeline

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

This timeline lists New Zealand’s worst post-1840 natural disasters, transport accidents, fires, mining accidents and other tragedies that have caused major loss of life. Follow the links for more information on NZHistory.net.nz, Te Ara and other sites.

The North Island main trunk line

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

The 'Limited' express train

The longest lifeline - The Merchant Navy

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Merchant Navy identification badge

Cook Strait rail ferries

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1973 ferry poster

Rise and fall - the North Island main trunk line

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Up and running

Hear about the North Island main trunk line

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