After a long pause (actually only about 2 weeks) the Waiau Branch photo album has finally been completed. I had a bit more down time this week due to the earthquake, as there were less than 100 photos waiting to be completed this only took a few hours and I went all from memory and didn’t bother looking up the other resources available to me so that task is finished.
I expect to work in fits and starts to complete the other parts of the article series pertaining to the Branch but can’t give any definite completion date at the present time.
It is good to see that rail heritage organisations in NZ have discovered Facebook and several have established a presence there, recognising the benefits of being able to communicate with the public in this way. So far Taieri Gorge Railway is the most Facebook-savvy rail heritage organisation in NZ. I haven’t tried putting too many NZ RHO names into FB so far but there don’t seem to be too many just yet.
The recent earthquakes in Christchurch have had some impact on rail operations around the area. Part of the Main South Line apparently crosses a fault line and it has had to be straightened several times. On the MNL apart from straightening, Bridge No. 18 (Courtenay Stream) just south of Kaiapoi was badly damaged and has needed extensive repairs, along with a 5 km section of track. It looks like the Waimakariri Bridge (No.17) built in the 1950s has escaped damage – the old highway bridge (1930s) alongside is currently closed due to piling problems. A few speed restrictions and bits of work were needed on the other lines but nothing too major, and trains are running again.
