THE ORIGINS OF THE RAIL TRAIL BY SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE

The railway that once navigated the heart of Central Otago is once again bringing life to these rural communities with the birth of the Rail Trail. The trail is a corridor that stretches from Middlemarch to Clyde (over 150 km) providing an opportunity for cyclists, walkers and horse riders to experience ‘Grahame Sydney’ country. In 2004, it is estimated that 100,000 people trekked sections of the Rail Trail, while an average of 6,000 completed the whole distance. Department of Conservation (DOC) estimates that the Rail Trail is enjoying 10% growth each year.

In the 1900s the railway served as a vital link for Central’s farmers and fruit growers to the city of Dunedin. Passenger services also ran on the line. The track was closed in 1990 upon the completion of the Clyde Dam to which freight trains had supplied material. Line removal was immediately in progress by contractors to New Zealand Railways (NZR). Retreating back down the line, NZR sold off in advance assets such as stations, good sheds, yards and ground where they could. The Middlemarch Station and good shed were advertised for tender for removal but were saved when the local Lions club contacted NZR to lease the Station. Their foresight is the reason why today the building still exists. Similarly with the goods shed to private interests.

The railway corridor was left empty with a decision to be made as to what to do with it. In 1993 the DOC acquired the section from Middlemarch to Clyde. DOC had already canvassed local communities for support of the idea of the land’s conversion into a Rail Trail — New Zealand’s first. Initially many detractors of the idea abounded, and some farmers whose land was dissected by the trail were very sceptical. After all this was a most novel idea and untried in New Zealand

The first section was developed and opened was the 11 km Daisybank to Hyde on 26 June 1994. During the following summer DOC held an open day, where the public could walk this section with DOC staff explaining historic and natural features on the way. Later, the short 8 km section Clyde to Alexandra was opened. On 19 November 1995 the 27 km Hyde to Middlemarch section opened. The Minister for Conservation at the time, the Hon Denis Marshall, officiated on a wet, windy day, accompanied by the Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, Penny Jamieson (with umbrella) and the Mayor of Dunedin, Sukhi Turner (sporting borrowed Swandri jacket). The plaque at the beginning of the Rail Trail reads:

They rode the first section of the Rail Trail from Middlemarch by heavy wagon and horse, one of nine trails setting out for the annual Goldfield's Cavalcade, the "Naseby or Bust" event. This was followed by afternoon tea in the Middlemarch Community Centre. And yes, the Minister was not safe everywhere he went in those times following the Cave Creek disaster. Safety inquiries were made of the organisers by the Diplomatic Protection Squad.

This section had its pitfalls as many small bridges and culverts needed side rail guards installed for safety. Local Cavalcade wagoners were concerned that horses might get a fright if a duck suddenly flapped out of the grass, putting the wagons at risk. The DOC field officer managing the project, Chris Stewart, had endeared himself to the locals with his open and cheerful manner so communication was very good. DOC, as usual, were running this development on a “shoestring” and labour input were “Task Force Green” workers, so the usual report was there is no money. No doubt this was true as progress was made only as the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust were able to come up with funds from donations for materials. The costs for the bridge safety rails were met by Middlemarch businesses, organisations and families adopting a bridge and paying for the material (note the small brass plaques on the bridges denoting the donors). Contributors were:

Local enthusiasm did not stop here. Bill Theyers came up with the idea of running a cycle race on the section now open. He organised the very first cycle event with the Middlemarch Lions Club of which he was a member. The following year, when the section Daisybank to Ranfurly opened, the Great New Zealand Rail Trail Challenge came into being, still co-ordinated by Bill. The Middlemarch Lions Club invited the Maniototo club to help run the event, which ran from Ranfurly to Middlemarch. Sponsorship and prizes were donated by local businesses as well as Macraes Mine. Eventually the Omakau and Alexandra Lions Clubs join as the Combined Lions Clubs of Central Otago running the event. Now, the event has been renamed "Otago Central Rail Trail Challenge Duathlon." In 2006, the 2-day event is held 25-25 February 2006.

» Visit the Rail Trail Duathlon website for the latest news and entry form.

With funding from the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust, dedicated effort from DOC personnel and countless hours of voluntary work, the Rail Trail became a reality by stages of completion. The rail trail was finally completed and officially opened by the Governor General in 2000.

A Rail Trail Challenge Duathlon was held on the weekend of the official opening, 19 and 20 February 2000, where participants were to cycle and run 151 km from Clyde Railhead to Middlemarch. On Day 1, the 90 km Clyde Railhead to Ranfurly and Day 2, the 60 km Ranfurly to Middlemarch.

Dave & Donna Thomson · Mold St · Middlemarch · Central Otago · New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 464 3355 · Fax: +64 3 464 3322 · Email: info@railtrail.co.nz

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