Technical Information

The Line The line is part of the now-closed Otago Central Railway of the New Zealand Government Railways (now Tranz Rail), which ran from Wingatui to Cromwell. Tranz Rail Ltd have retained the first 4 km of the line from Wingatui as the Taieri Branch to serve local industry and the Taieri Gorge Railway owns the 60 kms of line from the 4 km to Middlemarch at 64 km. Access to the Taieri Gorge Railway from Dunedin is over Tranz Rail tracks by a "running rights" agreement.

Line - Single line throughout with passing loops at North Taieri, Parera, Hindon, Pukerangi and Middlemarch. There are also service sidings at Mt Allan, Hindon, Pukerangi and Middlemarch.

Track Gauge - 1067 mm [3 ft 6 in] (New Zealand standard gauge).

Track Construction - Predominantly 35 kg/m [70 lb/yd] flat bottom rail on wooden sleepers (ties) on 40 mm. ballast. Bolted joints (no welded rail).

Maximum Curvature - 140 m [7 chain] radius

Gradient Diagram

Check out the ups and downs of the Taieri Gorge Railway journey on the gradient diagram. > view

Maximum Gradient - 1 in 50 [2%]

Maximum Height Above Sea Level - 254 m [833 ft]

Minimum Height Above Sea Level - 28 m [92 ft]

Maximum Speed - 50 km/h [30 mph] (due to the small radius curves)

Tunnels - 10 in total. Some are brick lined throughout, others are lined at the portals only, depending on ground conditions.
Longest - No 2 at Salisbury, 437 m [1435 ft] long.
Shortest - No 7, Machine Creek, 55 m [180 ft] long.

Bridges - There are 35 bridges between Wingatui and Middlemarch. Some are only a few metres long, the largest is the Wingatui Viaduct. This spans 197.5 m [659 ft] across Mullock Gully and is 47 m [154 ft] above the stream bed. The major bridges (or viaducts) are of wrought iron, riveted lattice work construction on masonry piers.

Loading Gauge - This has never been increased from the original (1880's) profile and restricts the maximum size of vehicles that can operate on the railway. Tranz Rail carriages and some freight wagons cannot use the line and modern Taieri Gorge Railway carriages have a very distinctive shape to fit the tunnels.

Communications - Telephones system on overhead pole line between Wingatui and Middlemarch, with a link to the Dunedin Railway Station

Buildings - The original station buildings still stand at Sutton and Middlemarch, which also has its goods shed intact. Several "gangers" shelter huts of various ages can be seen along the line.

The Locomotives The Taieri Gorge Railway owns 6 diesel-electric locomotives, all ex NZ Railways.

De1307

Dj3211

Type	DJ	DE
Number in TGR fleet	5	1
Total number built	64	15
Maker	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan	English Electric, Great Britain
Years Built	1968 - 69	1952 - 53
Wheel Arrangement	Bo - Bo - Bo	Bo - Bo
Diesel Engine	Caterpillar D-398	English Electric 6SKRT
Cylinders (bore x stroke)	V12, (159 mm x 203 mm)	In-line 6, (254 mm x 305 mm)
Rating	672 kW [900 hp] @ 1300 rpm	490 kW [660 hp] @ 750 rpm
Weight in working order	64 tonnes [63 tons]	51.8 tonnes [52.6 tons]
Braking system	Westinghouse air brake (26L)	Westinghouse air brake (No 4)
Length over headstocks	13106 mm [43 ft]	10668 mm [35 ft]
Maximum height	3531 mm [11 ft 7 in]	3505 mm [11 ft 6 in]
Maximum width	2591 mm [8 ft 6 in]	2565 mm [8 ft 5 in]
Maximum load on TGR	380 tonnes
For more information see NZR Locomotives and Railcars (various years), T.A. McGavin, New Zealand Railway & Locomotive Society, Inc

The Carriages The railway has three types of carriages, representing 80 years of carriage construction in New Zealand.
General Details

Construction era	1915 - 23	1930 - 33	1986 - 93
Type	Wood body - open platform	Steel clad - enclosed ends	All steel - open platform
Number in service	11	4	3
Seating type	Reversible	Reversible	Fixed around tables
Seating capacity	37 typically	2 cars - 30 2 cars - 37	Snack bar car - 24 Wheelchair car - 44 Day car - 50
Total seating capacity	540 maximum, 350 dining		118
Tables	Small tables can be fitted when required		Permanent
Public address system	All cars have speakers for on board commentary
Toilets	Chemical recirculating type with holding tanks under the cars
Lighting	Electric from 230/400 volt on train generator
Ventilation	Natural	Natural	Air conditioning
Heating	Electric	Electric	Air conditioning
Nickname	"Skarrett"	"Tinbellies"
Notes	Three cars have two saloons (with centre toilets) the remainder are single saloon	Two cars fitted with mini kitchens	Normally used on the Taieri Gorge Limited train. Wheelchair car has hydraulic chair lifts.

Construction Details

Maker	NZ Government Railways	NZ Government Railways	Taieri Gorge Railway
Running gear	Two x 4 wheel bogies, roller bearing, 3 stage springing
Under frame	Steel channel, Janney yoke draw gear with NZR type single buffer, or knuckle coupler
Braking	Westinghouse automatic single pipe air brake system
Body Framing	Wood	Wood and steel	Steel
Exterior panelling	Wood	Steel	Steel
Length over headstocks	14480 mm [47 ft 6 in] or 15240 mm [50 ft 0 in]	15240 mm [50 ft 0 in]	15240 mm [50 ft 0 in]
Width over body	2390 mm [7 ft 10 in]	2565 mm [8 ft 5 in]	[8 ft 9 in]
Maximum height	3430 mm [11 ft 3 in]	3455 mm [11 ft 4 in]	[11 ft 4 in]
Weight in working order	18 - 20 tonnes	26 tonnes	22 tonnes

The railway also has two guards vans, a buffet car (converted from a guards van) and several freight and work wagons.

Rebuilding a turnout at Pukerangi