SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK LINE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1930, Page 3

SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK LINE

ROUTE DESCRIBED

SEA COAST CLOSELY FOLLOWED.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 31

The whole route of the uncompleted section of the South Island main trunk railway can now be defined, following the formal proclamation in the Gazette pf the centre line of about six miles from Parnassus, the southern terminus. The total g*p is 76 miles, and for the greater part cf the whole length the railway will be right on the edge of the coast. Its grades will be easy, and fortunately the coastline is remarkably uniform, though the precipitous nature of the country rising straight from the sea to high points keeps the route well to the coast line, except where inland detours are made to secure the best river crossings. To describe the route to be taken. It leaves Parnassus, eighty-five miles from Christchurch, and takes a short run over easy flats to cross the Leader River, involving a fairly longbridge. Three miles of fairly heavy construction follows, as the line will rise on a one-in-seventy grade, involving banking and filling. This is the approach to the Hawkeswood "shoulder, and; the railway will run under the saddle ; in a tunnel onethird of a mile long. It emerges into d swampy gully, - down which it will go. on a one-in-seventy grade for two miles, crossing river flats to the south bank of the Conway, where a station is to be built. A long bridge will cross the Conway river and the line will continue along its north'bank eight mrles to the sea coast, which it then closely follows for many mile®. Some outstanding bluffs will be tunnelled. The Kowai River is reached two miles south of Kaikoura, and the line will cross the base of the peninsula at the point of which Kaikoura township is situated. 'lt is then thirtyfour miles from Parnassus. The location of Kaikoura station is not yet fixed, but it will be one or two miles from the township, ,- : Thb railway returns to the coast for two miles, their runs inland a short dibtahee to make a suitable crossing of the Hapuka River. Returning to the coast the route ‘ will be- alongside the existing main highway. “fhe next .important point is the Clarence River dressing, fifty-six miles from Parnassus/ The railway bridge is located three-quarters of a mile down-stream from the present road bridge. The coastal line is again to be closely followed to the junction lyith the northern terminus at Wliaranui, seventy-six. miles from Parnassus. The total distance from. Christchurch to Picton will be 217 miles.