History Restored: Hapuawhenua Reopens

More than 400 people hiked, cycled or travelled by steam train to the official opening of restored Hapuawhenua Viaduct last Saturday. Organised jointly by the Department of Conservation and the Tongariro Natural History Society, two 4-carriage train loads of passengers were carried to the historic site during the day from the Ohakune Railway Station by a vintage steam locomotive –WAB794 belonging to the Feilding Steam Rail Society – one in the morning the other in the afternoon.

The train itself was made up of four 60-seat carriages which had been hired from Kiwi Rail’s Palmerston North/Wellington weekday commuter service known as the ‘Capital Connection’ and were filled to capacity on both trips.

Among others involved in the day’s activities were representatives from OnTrack, Kiwi Rail (formerly known as New Zealand Rail) the Ruapehu District Council, the NZ Historic Places Trust, Steam Incorporated of Paekakariki, the Railway Enthusiast’s Society of Auckland, and the local railway enthusiasts – members of MTRO (Main Trunk Rail Ohakune).

As evidence of interest in this occasion car parking around the Junction area was at a premium throughout the day and hundreds of sightseers, train enthusiasts and well-wishers came to observe and photograph the steam train and its intending passengers, many of whom were dressed in period costume.

The train travelled first (engine in front) to Horopito where it was possible to relocate the locomotive at the opposite end of the four carriages by using the double track there so that it could return to the Viaduct and Ohakune with the steam locomotive at the head of the four carriages, to allow for the more familiar and traditional photo opportunities.

At the northern portal of the viaduct the train stopped and passengers alighted to observe a karakia by local iwi representatives before walking across the structure with its new walking and cycle track with breathtaking views of tree-ferns in the valley below and the majestic rimu trees rising above.

After crossing the 284m long viaduct on foot, passengers were provided with light refreshments at the southern end, before returning across the Viaduct to catch their train back to Ohakune.

In addition to the train passengers, around 100 people made their way up to the Viaduct using the Ohakune Old Coach Road track.

Discussions about the future of the original viaduct had been going on since it was replaced as a railway track by the new structure in 1987 and, two years ago, work started on converting the old viaduct to a cycle and walking track at a cost of approximately $1m.

Article published courtesy of the Ruapehu Bulletin.