Brayshaw Historic Museum Park

Introducing The Tramway Historical Society

Story of the Tramway Historical Society, tram restoration and preservation at Ferrymead, join the THS, drive trams

Riverside Railway Blenheim New Zealand

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Riverside railway 10 January 2015 with train and passages on the Taylor river in Blenheim New Zealand.
The railway follows the Taylor River from Brayshaw Park in the southwest of Blenheim to Beaver Station, next to where the River #riversiderailwayQueen boat docks. There are passing loops at Brayshaw Park, Chinaman's Creek Crossing, Fulton Station and Beaver Station. The route is roughly 5.5 km long. There are six bridges and five road overbridges. At Beaver Station the line passes under the Main North Line Taylor River bridge.
The railway was founded in 1985 by the Marlborough Historical Society, and two years later track-laying commenced. In 1988 motor trolleys started running to Chinaman's Creek Crossing. Four carriages were built in 1989/90 with parts from the Lake Grassmere salt collection railway, and the A & G Price locomotive was restored and put into service. Also in 1989 the line was finished to Fulton Station from Chinaman's Creek Crossing, reaching the 4.5 km mark. The railway officially opened on Labour Weekend 1990. The first station resembled a lemonade stall, and the platform was only sleepers laid next to the track. In 1995 Beaver Station (now Brayshaw Station) was constructed, with an extension of track from the workshop requiring a cutting and embankment with a steep gradient. Previously, the railway was seen to have a negative impact on the park. By 1997 the locomotive Murray was restored to operational condition. In 2005 the track was extended to the current terminus at Riverside Park. Over the years the workshops have been enlarged, and concrete sleepers made by the volunteer members have been used to replace the wooden ones first used on the line. In September 2010 the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary.
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Glen Afton Railway -New Zealand May 2017

The Glen Afton Line - Heritage Railway
A great place for a family day out!

Riverside Railway Omaka Station Opening

The Omaka branch line of the Blenheim Riverside Railway was officially opened on Saturday.

The line, which travels between Brayshaw Park and Omaka, took a dedicated team of volunteers two years to get running.

Blenheim Riverside Railway volunteer Kelvin Allen said the opening was a big achievement.

A lot of people have worked here five days a week - some have worked up to 12 hours a day.

It was a last-minute push to get the station ready in time, with some of the signs and the station fence put up the morning of the official opening.

There were speeches and several ribbon-cutting ceremonies before the gathered crowd of about 60 people had a chance to hop aboard two locomotives for a train ride to Brayshaw Park.

New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust chairman Brian Greenall acknowledged the volunteers who helped make the railway extension a reality. People who want to realise dreams and visions by voluntary means are totally barking mad, but they're barking mad in the most delightful way.

The beautiful thing about the madness is that it's totally contagious. People come along and they want to help you.

Blenheim Riverside Railway volunteer Bob Boyes said he had enjoyed his time working on the project.

I believe it's very worthwhile for the community and I think the community's going to reap the benefits - that's why I gave my time.

Blenheim Riverside Railway Society president John Orchard paid tribute to Ian Simcox, a patron of the railway extension, who died in a helicopter accident about a week before the the official opening of the branch line.

A moment of silence was held for Simcox and other volunteers who had died before the project was completed.

Orchard also acknowledged the contribution of the project's many supporters, including the Blenheim and Beavertown Lions Clubs. The clubs donated half the sales from a major book sale to the project.

That's made all the difference between a very basic platform and a gravel track, to what you see here today, which I think is a very smart-looking station.

The opening of the Omaka branch line was the first South Island branch line to open this century, Orchard said.

The Marlborough District Council contributed $60,000 towards a bridge over the Taylor River, while the Canterbury Community Trust also supported the project financially.
Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman said he was proud the council got behind the project.

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