Rimutaka Tunnel opens 1955
A DigitalNZ Story by squiggle_top
Replacing one of the steepest railway inclines (at the time), the opening of the Rimutaka Tunnel in 1955 significantly improved travel between Wairarapa and Hutt Valley.
Rimutaka incline, Rimutaka tunnel, Remutaka, train, steep incline
the Rimutaka Tunnel - opened in 1955
Officially opened on 03 November 1955, the Rimutaka Tunnel reduced the time and distance between Wairarapa and Hutt Valley. It replaced one of the steepest railway inclines in New Zealand at the time, and its opening was widely celebrated after many years of construction.
Opening Ceremony Booklet
Upper Hutt City Library
Looking for an alternative to the steep Rimutaka Incline
Although many proposals were put forward over the years, it took time before a solution was agreed to and work on the Rimutaka Tunnel could begin.
Proposals for Rimutaka
Mulitple options proposed for a tunnel, including through to Wainuiomata. March 1898.
National Library of New Zealand
Details about the Rimutaka Railway Line
A proposed new tunnel would be four and half times longer than the existing one. September 1898.
National Library of New Zealand
Barrier to commerce
The lack of a tunnel was seen as barrier to progress and commerce.
National Library of New Zealand
1940s
Map shows both the Rimutaka Incline track and the proposed Rimutaka Tunnel.
National Library of New Zealand
Big tunnel proposal
Outlines the proposed Big Tunnel, including estimated costs and rejected proposals. August 1938.
National Library of New Zealand
A renewed push for work to begin
A lack of funding has hampered tunnel construction. August 1938.
National Library of New Zealand
Pledge to construct Rimutaka Tunnel
The Prime Minister pledged to honour the pledge to construct the tunnel. September 1943.
National Library of New Zealand
Rimutaka Incline [film]
1991 documentary explores the history of the incline, and interviews those who worked on the rails. [film 61m 58s]
NZ On Screen
Construction begins
Officially Tunnel 2. A railway tunnel through New Zealand's Remutaka Range, between Maymorn, near Upper Hutt, and Featherston, on the Wairarapa Line. The tunnel, which was opened to traffic on 3 November 1955, is 8.798 kilometres (5.467 mi) long. It was the longest tunnel in New Zealand, superseding the Ōtira Tunnel in the South Island until the completion of the Kaimai Tunnel (8.88 km, 5.55 miles) near Tauranga in 1978. Rimutaka remains the longest tunnel in New Zealand with scheduled passenger trains. The tunnel was built as part of a deviation to replace the costly Rimutaka Incline and its Fell engines.
Source: Rimutaka Tunnel (Remutaka Range, N.Z.), National Library of New Zealand | Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa [retrieved 20 June, 2023]. This collection of items relating to the Rimutaka Tunnel includes images, newspaper articles and maps.
1950
Interior shot of men working to construct the Rimutaka Tunnel.
Alexander Turnbull Library
1952
Rimutaka tunnel employee housing camp. Housing was provided free for staff.
Upper Hutt City Library
1954
Construction work underway on the Rimutaka Tunnel.
Upper Hutt City Library
1954
Workers taking a break inside the tunnel.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Farewell: final ride on the Rimutaka Incline | 29 October 1955
Final train up the Rimutaka Incline
Last train travelling over the Rimutaka Incline before the tunnel was officially opened.
Upper Hutt City Library
Rimutaka Incline last excursion 1955 (Sager 2)
Upper Hutt City Library
Last train over the Rimutaka Incline, Wellington region
Alexander Turnbull Library
Opening the tunnel | 03 November 1955
After many years of construction, the Rimutaka Tunnel opens to great fanfare.
Large crowd watches the train's arrival
Wairarapa Archive
Commerative brochure of the opening ceremony
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
PM Holland cuts the official ribbon
Alexander Turnbull Library
Celebrations and commemorations
An engineering marvel - celebrating 60 years of the Rimutaka Tunnel
Includes radio coverage from the historic opening, and shares history of the tunnel construction.
Radio New Zealand
Additional resources
-
Bridges and tunnels - Rail tunnels. Jock Phillips, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. [accessed 27 September 2023]
- This film captures the moment when the two shafts of the Remutaka tunnel met. At the time it was the longest rail tunnel in New Zealand, linking the Hutt Valley with the Wairarapa plains.
- Rimutaka Incline, up up and away. Department of Conservation media release. 16 February 2012. [now archived]
- Remutaka Rail Trail. Department of Conservation. [accessed 27 September 2023]