Well trained

The Taieri Gorge Railway, started in 1879 and closed in 1990, comprises 60 km of the Otago Central Railway of the New Zealand Railways traversed by the Taieri Gorge train familiarly known as the 'yellow train'.

Construction of the railway began in June 1879, but fell victim to the economic depression that persisted through the 1880s. The first section of just 27 km to Hindon opened to traffic in 1889, extending to multiple stops before reaching Clyde in 1907. Following seven years of halted construction followed by seven years of construction the line was finally completed the full 235 km to Cromwell.

Notoriously bad roads fuelled the popularity of railways for transport and communications. Thousands of tonnes of farm produce and fruit and scores of livestock were railed to Dunedin and north, while supplies for Central Otago arrived by return train accompanied by regular passenger services. Removal of transport licensing and the upgrading of roads into Central Otago saw volumes decline with regular passenger trains ceasing in 1976.

In 1979 the newly formed Otago Excursion Train Trust ran its first public excursion train from Dunedin to Cromwell, the first of thousands of trips showing the unique scenery of Central Otago to tourists formalised in 1987 when The Taieri Gorge Limited service became a regular tourist train. Construction of the Clyde Dam provided steady freight business until 1989 when the Minister of Railways announced that the line would be closed on 30 April 1990.

Simultaneously the Dunedin City Council announced they would buy the line through the Taieri Gorge and as far as Middlemarch if the community raised $1 million to finance the project. This would enable the Taieri Gorge Train excursions to continue. By July 1990 $1.2 million had been raised and the 60 km Taieri Gorge Railway officially became New Zealand's longest private railway.

Today the famous yellow train has a modernised look while still retaining the colour for which it is known. Using a durable paint system of Resene TimberLock preserver/conditioner, Resene solventborne primer and a topcoat system of Resene Uracryl 403 in hues of Resene Sun (bright yellow) for the main bodywork, Resene Heath (deep maroon) for the trimwork and high gloss black for rails, steps and other ironwork, the completed paintwork does the railway proud when tourists show off their holiday photos.

A unique experience winding through the Taieri Gorge, tourists are flocking to save their seat.

History: Excerpts from www.taieri.co.nz
Painting Contractor: Pat Beman
Resene: Jo Parry, Dunedin Colour Consultant
From the Resene News – issue 1/2006

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