THE WAIPAHI TO CLINTON RAILWAY.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 173, 2 November 1877, Page 6

THE WAIPAHI TO CLINTON RAILWAY.

We gave a description of the railway line from Gore to, Waipahi on the 22nd June lost, tbe day after it was opened for traffic. As the remainder of the contract to Clinton was opened on the Ist inst., we now give a short description of that portion also. The earthworks as far as 65 miles 30 chains from Invercargill, or 13 Chains short of the Clinton station, were completed by Mr Litton in March, 1877, and the plate-laying* and ballasting, which was lot to Mr Whitaker at schedule rates without being tendered for, was commenced at 55 miles 69 chains, on the 13th June last. This section is not quite as level as the one from Gore to Waipahi, and is much more sinuous. In the 9 miles 41 chains, there are no less than twenty curves, as follows: — One of 8 chains radius through the heavy rock cutting from 55 miles 75 chains to 56 miles 12 chains ; one of 10 chains radius ; one of 15 chains radius ; five of 20 chains ; two of 30 chains ; five of 40 chains ; two of 60 chains ; two of 80 chains; and one of 160 chains. We think it is a great mistake making railways intended to be permanent so exceedingly tortuous. Even now, when this line has only been used for ballasting*, anyone could pick up a handful of iron filings in small flakes in a few seconds at any of the curves, showing the terrible wear on rails and wheels, which will soon render the renewal of both necessary, at a great and ever increasing expense, for the greater tbe traffic the greater the wear and \ tear. 7'he addition to the length of j the line is also very objectionable, both as regards the cost and maintenance of the permanent way, and the time lost, in travelling tbe extra distance, which of course increases the charges for goods and passengers for all time, while by a straighter line all these disadvantages would be obviated, no doubt at a considerably higher first cost of formation, as the cuttings and embankments would be heavier, but at a large ultimate saving. As a sample of the turnings and twistings of this line, we give the bearings of the first mile and half from Waipahi station. The line i here is south-easterly 125° 26', but a 20 chain curve alters this bearing at 55 miles 70 chains to 102° 14/ for 6 chains; then an 8 chain curve brings the line at 56 miles 10 chains in a south-wes-terly direction 194° 16' for 20 chains ; then a 10 chain curve turns the line at 56 miles 45 chains nearly east again 9?° 46', which at 67 miles 15 chains, by the aid of .a 15 chain curve, alters to south 188° A' for 10 chain ; then by a 20 chain curve it changes at 57 miles 40 chains to 1 36° 50', and so on, tacking like a ship going up the harbour against a head wind. Of course the grades change as frequently as the direction, but we have only room to mention those steeper than 1 in 100, which are as follows: — One in 88, from 57 miles 32 chains to 57 miles 48 chains ; one in 72, from 5Q miles 60 chains to 59 miles 27 chains • one in 74. from 59 miles 27 chains to 59 miles 54 chains; one in 83.6, from 60 miles 31 chains to 60 miles 50 chains; one in 84.6, from 61 miles 52 chains to 62 miles 8 chains; one in 71.5, from 62 miles 10 chains to 62 miles 36 chains ; one in 96.8, from 62 miles 38 chains to 62 miles 80 chains; one in 73, from 63 miles to 63 miles 10 chains ; one in 77, from 63 miles 30 chains to 63 miles 73 chains; one in 77.4, from 64 miles 16 chains to 64 miles 44 chains. There are only two heavy cuttings, one of rock, from 55 miles 77 chains to 56 miles 4-L chains, 36 feet deep at the deepest place, and which contained over 14,000 cubic yards. The other is clay, from 61 miles 72 chains to 62 miles 17 chains, at the deepest place 13 feet, and contained 8000 cubic yards. There are a great number of smaller cuttings, and several of the embankments are extensive, being both high and long*. There is no river on this portion of the line, though a large number of small creeks and swampy gullies. The bridges are four in number, one over a creek at 56 miles 12 chains, on five rows of three piles, 2 spans of 14 feet and 2 of 12 feet — 52 feet; one over the same creek at 56 miles 45 chains, 10 feet span, with stone walls ; and a third over a branch of the same creek at 57 miles 18 chains, also 10 feet span with stone walls. The fourth is over the Wairuna creek, at 63 miles 31 chains — 8 feet, open masonry. Besides a large number of box drains, there are five open masonry culverts — 2, six feet; 1, four feet; 1, three feet ; and 1, two feet. There are 21 level crossings. 14 of them are private for the different farms ; 4 third-class ; and 2 second-class, for district roads : 1 •first-class for the main road, Waipahi to Clinton, at 61 miles 46 chains. All the ballast has been brought from the Mataura at Gore, and was completed on October 23. All the land required for the Railway from Gore to Wairuna at 62 miles 41 chains in block ix., Waipahi, with the exception of two sections in Block vii., Waipahi (sections 57 and 58), was reserved when tbe adjoining land was sold. But from Wairuna to the town of Clinton the land had to be purchased from the settlers, of whom there are seven or eight. The Clinton station, which is at 65 miles 43 chains, in the town of Clinton, was built in the beginning of 1875. It consists of two small rooms, separatod by a shed, open in the front, there being

a gravelled platform between it and the line. v. The portion of the railway from 65 miles 30 chains to the end at 65 miles 50 chains, 7 chains beyond the Clinton station, was formed by Mr Whitaker between June and October, 1877, and ha 9 been made straight and level by means of a cutting and embankment. A fifth-class station, 30 by 12, somewhat like the Clinton one, has been erected lately at Waipahi, and also a small goods shed, 61* feet by 31 feet. A post-office and telegraph station haa been added by building a room 17 feet by 13 feet at the back of the station, but the wire has not yet been connected. The fittings, made on the spot of New Zealand timber, varnished, look particularly well. The original tender for the station was L 132, and the goods shed L3OB, hut the extras have run the price up very considerably.