Steep climb to Rewanui

Press, 17 June 1980, Page 21

Steep climb to Rewanui

One of the most interesting tourist attractions in the Greymouth area is a trip in the Minters Train to Rewanui. The railway line, opened in. 1914 is the only access to the Liverpool State Coal Mine and to several privately-owned mines on the Rewanui Incline. Quite apart from the practical aspects of the train ride the Rewanui Incline is a scenic treat for tourists. For 4.8 km from Dunollie Station the track climbs up the side of a mountain through thick .native forest. Every few metres a new view of the river far below the train . can be seen and waterfalls abound. This breathtaking ascent is up a gradient of one in 33 one of the steepest pieces of railway line in the country. Because of its steepness the Rewanui Incline needs some stringent safety precautions. The possibility of a waggon or a whole train running away down the track to hurtle into Dunollie Station at the bottom does not bear thinking about. For many years until the introduction of diesel locomotives with more sophisticated gearing systems brake power on the line was provided by a centre line. A special brake van positioned on

the downhill side of the train placed brake clamps on either side of this centre rail to complement the train’s own braking system. The centre rail is no longer there but even now extra brake pressure must be provided by the guard’s van to compensate for the steep slope. ■ Weather conditions in the area add to the potential risk on the Incline. Washouts happen once or twice a year closing the track and cutting the mine off

To avoid the possibility of a dereailment on the Incline a patrol' goes up the track in an open trolley before daylight every morning to check that the line is clear. In adverse weather conditions the men patrol the line continuously. Trains run regularly from Greymouth to Rewanui from 11 p.m. on Sunday when a maintenance crew is taken to the mine. At 6.30 a.m. the miners go to woik with the “wet timers” returning at 1.45 and the “full timers” coming home at 2.55.

The train which takes tourists to the mine leaves Greymouth at 1.50 p.m. on week-ends to pick up the “full-timers” on their return journey.