Taumarunui
is in the fortunate position of being located
in the middle of two scenic areas of the North
Island's Main Trunk Line. To the west
is the Stratford branch line. This took 33
years to build and has no fewer than 24 tunnels
within 86 kilometres of track. This line links
Taumarunui to Stratford and New Plymouth while
passing through scenic valleys on the way.
Raurimu Spiral
To the south of Taumarunui is the famous Raurimu Spiral that takes the Main Trunk Line from the sheltered valley of Taumarunui to the volcanic plateau of the National Park where Mt Ruapehu is situated.
Opened in 1908, the North Island Main Trunk Railway linked Auckland with Wellington, Taranaki and Wanganui, and contributed to the development of the Central North Island. Faced with towering mountains, steep hillsides, and deep ravines near the high plateau in the centre of the North Island, the builders of the Main Trunk Railway displayed remarkable skill in overcoming the many difficulties.
Southbound trains from Taumarunui climb 636 metres in only 52 kilometres to National Park, the steepest gradient being 1 in 50, as on the last eleven miles where the famous Raurimu Spiral is located. This masterly example of railway engineering overcomes an abrupt rise into National Park by extending the railway track through a complete circle; three horseshoe curves, and two tunnels.
Laid out in the form of an ascending spiral, incorporating a complete circle, three horseshoe curves, and two short tunnels, the Raurimu Spiral artificially increases the distance between Raurimu and National Park from 5 kilometres in a direct line to 11 track kilometres. The average gradient is thus reduced to approximately 30 metres to the kilometre, or 1 in 52.
Most of the construction work had to be carried out by pick and shovel. Oxen, horses and small steam locomotives assisted with the bulk movement of materials. It was only in the last two years of construction that one of New Zealand's first steam shovels was brought in to help dig the cuttings. That was the start of a mechanical age in earthworks for this country.
Taumarunui Railway Festival
In January of each year
the New Zealand nation is made aware of the glorious days
of rail. A week long festival of nostalgic steam train
excursions is held for all railway enthusiasts. During
this week Taumarunui enjoys the re-enactment of its past
identity which is portrayed in the song, Taumarunui on
the Main Trunk Line.
Click
here to view pictures from our Scenic photo gallery.
