What is so special about Raurimu Spiral?
The Raurimu Spiral is considered an engineering masterpiece. In 1898, its design cemented the route of the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) railway through the Central Plateau. In 1870 plans were put forward to connect Auckland to Wellington via railway.
When was the Raurimu Spiral built?
It was constructed between 1905 and 1908. The Historic Places Trust registered the spiral as a category one historic place in 2005.
How fast do trains go in NZ?
Trains are fast Trains can travel up to 100kms an hour. It is difficult for people to judge the speed of an approaching train and research has proven that you are more than likely to misjudge the speed of an approaching train.
Where is the Raurimu Spiral?
North Island of New Zealand
The Raurimu Spiral is a single-track railway spiral, starting with a horseshoe curve, overcoming a 139-metre (456 ft) height difference, in the central North Island of New Zealand, on the North Island Main Trunk railway (NIMT) between Wellington and Auckland.
Why do Auckland trains go so slow?
“We work the Auckland metro hard with more than 22 million commuter journeys, and six million tonnes of freight a year. “Rail becomes worn over time as a result of usage, in the same way that road surfaces deteriorate. As with roads we use speed restrictions as a precautionary measure to ensure safe operations.
What is the fastest train in New Zealand?
A: 160 kilometres per hour is the feasible maximum service speed for tilt trains running on New Zealand’s narrow (1067mm) track gauge. Trains running on the same gauge achieve this speed in passenger service in Australia and Japan.
How fast are Auckland trains?
Operating features. The maximum operating speed is 110km/hr, however, the average operating speed will be less than this. Each train has regenerative braking, allowing energy to be produced by the train and fed back into the 25kv supply – a recovery of up to 20% of the energy used.
How many trains are there in Auckland?
Train services Train services Trains are a great way to travel around Auckland with 41 stations across four lines: Southern, Eastern, Western and Onehunga. Here you’ll find information regarding where trains go, fare information, train-riding etiquette, safety tips and much more.
Where is the raurimu spiral?
Who Built New Zealand Railways?
The first railway lines were built in the South Island in the 1860s. From 1870, the government worked to develop railways. They wanted railways to carry products from farms, forests and mines to markets and ports, and to provide access to land bought or confiscated from Māori, so Pākehā could settle it.
How much electricity does a train consume?
Indian Railways consume around 2.5 Billion Units of electricity for non-traction usage, spending about 1,700 cr. per annum.
Who operates Auckland trains?
Transdev Auckland, formerly Veolia Transport Auckland, and Connex Auckland, is a Transdev company. It runs Auckland’s urban passenger trains under contract from Auckland Transport on infrastructure owned and managed by KiwiRail.
Where is the Raurimu Spiral in New Zealand?
The Raurimu Spiral is a single-track railway spiral, starting with a horseshoe curve, overcoming a 139-metre (456 ft) height difference, in the central North Island of New Zealand, on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. It is a notable feat of civil engineering, having been called an “engineering masterpiece.”.
Who was the designer of the Raurimu Spiral?
The Raurimu Spiral is considered an engineering masterpiece. In 1898, its design cemented the route of the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) railway through the Central Plateau. Engineer Robert West Holmes’ (1856-1936) design for the Raurimu Spiral provided an inspired solution to the steep descent from just above Raurimu township.
How long does it take to ride the Raurimu Spiral train?
In total, the whole trip takes about 2 hours, and will take in some of the breathtaking scenery and amazing engineering design of the spiral itself. We only have the capacity for 20 people per trip, so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment. BOOK NOW!
What was the significance of the spiral in New Zealand?
The Spiral is associated with the development of the railway in New Zealand and the construction of the North Island Main Trunk Line. The completion of the line revolutionised travel – after the joining of the two railheads, a rail journey between Wellington and Auckland took just two days.