HISTORY
A local logging company, Ogilvies & Co, Gladstone, originally built the line that the Shantytown Railway follows. The line was built in the 1920's and it ventured some 6 miles up into the valley, where there was a log hauler situated to bring the logs to the railhead. In 1948 the logging ceased and the railway was pulled up for use else where on Ogilvies network. Only the Roadbed remained.
In 1968 a group of vintage car enthusiasts, railway enthusiasts, and some service groups including the Lions club, Rotary Club and others, set about forming a group that could be set up to preserve and care for historical items. The formation of a trust allowed the creation of a community owned tourist attraction.
The Minister of Mines, Tom Shand, made building materials available for the fledging society to use, The Dobson mine had closed recently and, this is what the government calls today an "Economic Development Package".
The first piece of railway equipment was the Heisler 1494, this was in a sorry state as it hadn't worked for some time and the West Coast climate had taken its toll. On the opening day the Minster of mines donated a steam engine that use to work for the Mines Department, this engine was Sharp, Stewart 4270, later to be known as "Kaitangata" after her workplace of 70 years. The engine had become surplus to their requirements after the Kaitangata Coal Mine had closed down.
Over the years other pieces of railway equipment were acquired. Other locomotives to arrive were, Climax 1203 in 1969, Nattrass rail tractor in the 1970's, Dispatch Rail Tractors, or "dragons" as they were known, also arrived in the 1970's. During the late 1990's the Mills "A", "Opossum" was saved from scrap. The latest addition to the Shantytown Railway fleet being in 1998 when L 508 arrived after being purchased from the North Island.
Kaitangata was the first steam engine to run on the new Shantytown Railway. Along with Tr 38 one of the first Tr's built for the New Zealand Railways and an old carriage these formed the Shantytown Railway.
TODAY
The line is 900 metres long from the Railway Station, and follows the picturesque Infants Creek. It crosses over 2 water races, and one creek and passes old gold workings of the 1860's gold rush. After a short ride passengers are allowed to disembark the train and have a photo stop, in beautiful New Zealand native bush.
The current operation locomotive fleet is limited to "Kaitangata", with L 508 under restoration, and Climax 1203 awaiting boiler work. Currently there are no operational Dispatch Dragons or Internal Combustion locomotives on site. The Heisler, 1494, remains in the back of the shed awaiting a major restoration, as well as Mills A, "Opossum".
A local logging company, Ogilvies & Co, Gladstone, originally built the line that the Shantytown Railway follows. The line was built in the 1920's and it ventured some 6 miles up into the valley, where there was a log hauler situated to bring the logs to the railhead. In 1948 the logging ceased and the railway was pulled up for use else where on Ogilvies network. Only the Roadbed remained.
In 1968 a group of vintage car enthusiasts, railway enthusiasts, and some service groups including the Lions club, Rotary Club and others, set about forming a group that could be set up to preserve and care for historical items. The formation of a trust allowed the creation of a community owned tourist attraction.
The Minister of Mines, Tom Shand, made building materials available for the fledging society to use, The Dobson mine had closed recently and, this is what the government calls today an "Economic Development Package".
The first piece of railway equipment was the Heisler 1494, this was in a sorry state as it hadn't worked for some time and the West Coast climate had taken its toll. On the opening day the Minster of mines donated a steam engine that use to work for the Mines Department, this engine was Sharp, Stewart 4270, later to be known as "Kaitangata" after her workplace of 70 years. The engine had become surplus to their requirements after the Kaitangata Coal Mine had closed down.
Over the years other pieces of railway equipment were acquired. Other locomotives to arrive were, Climax 1203 in 1969, Nattrass rail tractor in the 1970's, Dispatch Rail Tractors, or "dragons" as they were known, also arrived in the 1970's. During the late 1990's the Mills "A", "Opossum" was saved from scrap. The latest addition to the Shantytown Railway fleet being in 1998 when L 508 arrived after being purchased from the North Island.
Kaitangata was the first steam engine to run on the new Shantytown Railway. Along with Tr 38 one of the first Tr's built for the New Zealand Railways and an old carriage these formed the Shantytown Railway.
TODAY
The line is 900 metres long from the Railway Station, and follows the picturesque Infants Creek. It crosses over 2 water races, and one creek and passes old gold workings of the 1860's gold rush. After a short ride passengers are allowed to disembark the train and have a photo stop, in beautiful New Zealand native bush.
The current operation locomotive fleet is limited to "Kaitangata", with L 508 under restoration, and Climax 1203 awaiting boiler work. Currently there are no operational Dispatch Dragons or Internal Combustion locomotives on site. The Heisler, 1494, remains in the back of the shed awaiting a major restoration, as well as Mills A, "Opossum".
GENERAL
There is an extensive workshop where all the locomotive maintenance is undertaken. This building is made of materials that were made available by the Ministry of Mines, its a 3 road structure with a pit for inspecting locomotives located in the middle road. This is also where the locomotives are stabled. Unlike most railways the Shantytown Railway leaves their engine steaming over night. When the driver arrives in the morning it takes just over 20 minutes, depending on the steam pressure, to reach a full head of steam.
The railway is not run by volunteers, all staff are paid full time employees of the West Coast Historical & Mechanical Society. There are only 2 volunteers on site. These are the two Maciulaitis brothers!
The railway runs year round, 364 days of the year. All trains have an informative commentary, and a photo stop is taken at the end of the line. This is where passengers can also walk through the cab of the train.
There is an extensive workshop where all the locomotive maintenance is undertaken. This building is made of materials that were made available by the Ministry of Mines, its a 3 road structure with a pit for inspecting locomotives located in the middle road. This is also where the locomotives are stabled. Unlike most railways the Shantytown Railway leaves their engine steaming over night. When the driver arrives in the morning it takes just over 20 minutes, depending on the steam pressure, to reach a full head of steam.
The railway is not run by volunteers, all staff are paid full time employees of the West Coast Historical & Mechanical Society. There are only 2 volunteers on site. These are the two Maciulaitis brothers!
The railway runs year round, 364 days of the year. All trains have an informative commentary, and a photo stop is taken at the end of the line. This is where passengers can also walk through the cab of the train.
LINE STATISTICS
Gauge: 3 foot 6 inch (1097 mm)
Length (total): 1.5 kilometres
Passenger Running Length : 900 metres
Maximum Grade: 1:33
Maximum curve radius: 120 metres
Line Map - PDF Format (c) 2002 Shantytown