Photo Credit: Chris Bradley. The combined road-rail bridge over the Oreti River on the Mossburn Branch. Ab725 crossing the bridge in February 1968 with a mixed goods train.
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"Branch lines have a fascination about them for they represent a way of life that has gone, and with the benefit of rose coloured glasses, many of us wish they could return. Those carefree days of a train slowly making its way through the countryside with a few wagons, and then the leisurely discharge of goods at a station, form great moments of nostalgia. Years after the line had outlived its purpose and had been lifted, one still has a yearning for the past era. The authors have taken 42 branch lines that were operated by New Zealand Railways and explored what remains of them.....The purpose of the book is to help those who want to explore the remains of branch lines by car. It points out what still remains of formations, cuttings, buildings, bridges, tunnels and other items of railway interest. ...... The authors were very specific in the criteria for including lines in this book. This book fills a niche in railway literature, and will be valued by all who enjoy the romance of the old-time branch line." Graeme Carter, President, NZ Rail & Locomotive Society The New Zealand Railway Observer No. 334, December 2015-January 2016 |
AVAILABLE NOW GHOST RAILWAYS NEW ZEALAND A TOURING GUIDE TO 42 LOST BRANCH RAILWAY LINES OF NEW ZEALAND Available as downloadable PDFs (1 PDF per branch line) sent direct to your device. Details and ordering process here. |
In 2013 we travelled the length and breadth of New Zealand with our trusty
assistant Dickson, plotting the routes of 42 branch railway lines and identifying
the remaining artefacts.
Our book was commercially published in October 2015, and sold out shortly afterwards.
Here's your chance to acquire what we wrote, direct to your device.
We'll include some updates, and some of the photos too.
And with your first order, we'll send you FREE the full
Historical Overview
which covers the development and eventual decline of the branch railway network.
assistant Dickson, plotting the routes of 42 branch railway lines and identifying
the remaining artefacts.
Our book was commercially published in October 2015, and sold out shortly afterwards.
Here's your chance to acquire what we wrote, direct to your device.
We'll include some updates, and some of the photos too.
And with your first order, we'll send you FREE the full
Historical Overview
which covers the development and eventual decline of the branch railway network.
"This book takes you on a journey of discovery around New Zealand exploring long forgotten railway branch lines dating back to the 1870s. The authors have researched the history of each back country railway line in detail. It is a book full of fascinating stories and facts, making for an interesting insight into the past and an essential guide for taking a journey to these intriguing parts of the country by using this book as your guide."
Graham Beattie, http://beattiesbookblog.blogspot.com/
Graham Beattie, http://beattiesbookblog.blogspot.com/
