FIRST TRAIN TO TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20334, 5 February 1936, Page 11

FIRST TRAIN TO TIMARU

SIXTY YEARS AGO YESTERDAY

BIG EVENT RECALLED HISTORICAL FUNCTION Sixty years ago yesterday there was great excitement throughout Canterbury, and particularly in Timaru, because on that day the first passenger train travelled from Christchurch to Timaru. It was a day of great rejoicing, for the completion of the line meant a great deal for the future prosperity of South Canterbury. Before February 4. 1876, small branch railway lines had been opened up in various parts of the South Island, and at that time there was a regular service between Timaru and Temuka. This stretch of line eventually formed part of the through track to Christchurch, and its early history is of interest to-day. It was on April 25, 1874, that a locomotive, four low-sided trucks and six tons of steel fastenings were landed from the Luna at Timaru, and the first locomotive, with one first and one second class carriage filled with passengers, made several trips as far as Young’s Creek on July 30, 1874, attaining a speed of 18 or 19 miles an hour. The first public excursion ■on this part of the line was held on September 19, 1874, the train being met at Young’s Creek by 50 or 60 Temuka residents. The return journey was commenced at 4.35 p.m., and half an hour was occupied in covering the ten miles.

The Timaru Borough Council had for a long time shown opposition to the railway, but by the time the line from Christchurch was completed it had changed its attitude, and instead of ignoring the big event on February 4 1876, the then Mayor (Mr J. H. Sutter) held a public function and declared a holiday. The first through train left Christchurch at 6.45 in the morning, among the 400 who took advantage of the novelty of the long journey being the Superintendent of the Province (Mr William Rolleston), the Mayor of Christchurch (Sir J. C. Wilson), the Member for Timaru in the General Assembly (the Hon. E. W. Stafford), and other civic and legislative dignitaries. The first part of the journey was made on the broad gauge line, the change to the narrow gauge being made at Rolleston. Occasionally spurting to the then remarkable speed of twenty-five miles an hour, the train reached Ashburton shortly after 10 a.m.—a smart trip of nearly three hours and a half. Along the line, little groups of wildly excited settlers cheered the passing train, giving its passengers a foretaste of the enthusiasm they were to meet at Timaru.

Welcome at Timaru A crowd of between 1000 and 1500 people had assembled at the station in Timaru to welcome the train and passengers, and at 1.45 a telegram was received to say that the train had just passed Temuka. Eventually the train reached Timaru, its arrival being hailed by a salute of guns fired from the signal station. The new station was gaily decorated with bunting. Later about 150 people were entertained at luncheon in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and the train started back for Christchurch at 5.30 p.m., . the long journey being completed just before midnight. It was a memorable day in the history of the province. It is a far cry to February, 1876, and in the intervening years marked progress has been made in railway service generally. The passing of time saw larger and more powerful engines constructed, services were speeded up, stations more in keeping with the growing needs of the country were built, and generally every effort was made to keep abreast of the times. Of recent years there have been marked changes in the construction and design of carriages, which to-day are the essence of service and comfort. As far as possible, the country is meeting its own requirements in the way of locomotives and rolling stock. It is recognised that the railways form the backbone of transportation, and for that reason the railway construction shops in the centres are turning out locomotives and stock equal to the best in the world. One very important development is the petrol-driven rail car, which is capable of attaining a big speed. Seven of these cars will soon be running on the Wellington-Masterton-Palmerston North service, and three on the Wel-lington-New Plymouth route. This type of p: ssenger vehicle has proved very popular overseas, and should do much to improve the services in New Zealand.