"Paekakariki Hill" on New Zealand’s North Island drops to the ocean far below, creating a dramatic coastline of steep cliffs that must have seemed impossible to those early railway pioneers, not to mention the all too common seismic activity that can bring rocks crashing down. Even today this otherwise double track railway is single around the cliffs as it clings to a narrow ledge and threads its way through numerous tunnels built by those early railway men. The line is part of the NIMT (North Island Main Trunk) carrying commuters to and from Wellington in modern electric units as well as longer distance passenger trains to Palmerston North and Auckland. There are also heavy freight trains requiring up to three engines to tackle the steep climb from Paekakariki to Muri and beyond. Paekakariki is home to Steam Incorporated where volunteers lovingly restore Steam and Diesel locomotives along with authentic rolling stock to run special trains to many destinations around North Island, some of which lost their regular passenger trains many years ago. We join one of these specials to Palmerston North, from where it will continued Napier for a special Art Deco event. This video was filmed over five visits, three in glorious sunshine, one on an overcast day and one in torrential rain. I would like say a special thank you to Andrew Gorrie for introducing me to the “Paekakariki Escarpment Track” a footpath that runs high above the railway tracks, offering outstanding views of the railway and coastline, even in the pouring rain.
10 апр 2017
