Station Profile: Herbert

DXB 5137 with DC 4761 lead 934 Dunedin to Middleton freight through Herbert. 19/01/21.

For my first station profile I've chosen Herbert, a small blink and you've missed it Otago village on State Highway 1 and more importantly a crossing loop on the South Island Main Trunk. 

1978 New Zealand Topo Map - Herbert

Opened on the 14th of November 1876, Herbert is located at the 276 kilometer mark on the South Island Main Trunk (SIMT). On the 7th of September 1878 the South Island Main Trunk between Christchurch and Dunedin was finally completed and opened for traffic. The station then settled into its role as a small country crossing station serving Herbert and the surrounding area. As a station operating under tablet train control Herbert was manned with staff operating the tablet machine, assisting with crossings and looking after passengers and inwards and outwards goods traffic. 

Like many stations in New Zealand, Herbert consisted of a main line, crossing loop and goods siding. Herbert was similar to other stations between Oamaru and Dunedin along the South Island Main Trunk where the siding come directly off the mainline on the opposite side to the crossing loop. Stations with this layout included Waianakarua, Hampden, and Waikouaiti. This layout was used in these locations so the station, siding and goods shed were all on the side closest to the township they served allowing for safe and easy access.

Herbert - Hampden Signalling and Interlocking Arrangements Diagram. Credit: Archives New Zealand Dunedin.

In 1959 Herbert was upgraded as part of the new Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) system introduced to the SIMT. The CTC system between Oamaru and Dunedin was operated from the Train Control Office in Dunedin. With the introduction of CTC the old tablet machine was removed and electric point motors and intermediate, home and departure searchlight signals were installed.

The station was closed to all traffic on the 30th of March 1980.

From 1989 the section between Oamaru and Port Chalmers was converted from CTC to Track Warrant Control (TWC). This system allowed train control to give track warrants to locomotive engineers by radio removing the need for the complex and expensive CTC system. Track Warrants gave Locomotive Engineers permission to proceed from one location to another and provided other information required for the safe working of trains in TWC sections. As part of the conversion a number of stations with short loops were closed while new loops with TWC signals were constructed. Herbert was retained as a crossing loop under the new TWC system but unusually retained its searchlight signals. It was during this time that the goods siding was also removed. 

The removal of the goods siding proved short sighted as Herbert was used in the mid 1990's as a loading point for logs from the nearby Herbert Forest. The resident Oamaru DSC shunting locomotive would bring USL log wagons from Oamaru and set them on the main line. While the DSC ran round the train logs stored on the site of the old goods siding would be loaded onto the USL wagons by front end loader. Once loaded the shunt would return to Oamaru where the log wagons would await pick up by a mainline freight train.

Where once any number of goods, express goods and passenger and express trains would keep the tracks shiny, Herbert has approximately eight freight trains pass through every day. The loop is rarely used except for the occasional crossing when a delayed train has been unable to cross its opposite number at its normal place.

To get a better idea of the track and infrastructure through Herbert we'll start from the south at Otepopo Tunnel. Otepopo tunnel is 220 metres long and is tunnel number 2 on the South Island Main Trunk. The first tunnel on the South Island Main Trunk is the Lyttleton Tunnel linking Christchurch with Lyttleton Harbour.

The northern portal of the Otepopo Tunnel taken from the Glencoe Road level crossing.

Trains then cross the level crossing at Glencoe Road as they approach the up intermediate double searchlight signal.

Glencoe Road level crossing looking west. 

The up intermediate signal looking north from the Glencoe Road level crossing.

Trains then climb a straight section as they approach Herbert. 

Up home signal and the southern points for the crossing loop.

After passing the up home signal trains go over the points for the crossing loop and cross the Herbert Road level crossing. 

The southern end of Herbert crossing loop looking south. The former station building was located between the grey lineside signal building and the Herbert Road level crossing.

Between the current southern end of the crossing loop and the Herbert Road level crossing loop was the original Herbert railway station. Like many other stations, this building was demolished in the 1980's.

A northbound freight lead by two Mitsubishi DJ Bo-Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotives pass Herbert station in the late 1970's. Photographer: Joe Wallace

Herbert Road level crossing looking west.

The main and loop departure searchlight signals at the southern end of the crossing loop.

Herbert crossing loop looking north. The goods siding was located on the right side of the main line where the graveled area is now.

Just to the east of the main line and north of the Herbert Road level crossing is the Herbert signal cabin. This non descript concrete block building contains all the signaling equipment for the Herbert crossing loop and may also contain a stand by generator and toilet.

Herbert signal cabin taken from the southern end.

Rear of the Herbert signal cabin.

North end of the Herbert signal cabin.

Front of the Herbert signal cabin.

Northbound 934 Dunedin to Middleton freight passes through Herbert.

Heading towards the northern end of the crossing loop is the up main and loop departure signals, the northern crossing loop points and the down home signal. 

The north end of the Herbert loop taken from the Frew Road level crossing.

The main line then crosses the Frew Road level crossing.

Frew Road level crossing looking East

The main line looking north from the Frew Road level crossing.

Heading north from the Frew Road level crossing we pass the down intermediate signal and then cross the Irvine Road level crossing.

Looking south along the shiny rails of the South Island Main Trunk from the Irvine Road level crossing.

Irvine Road level crossing looking east.

Looking north from the Irvine Road level crossing.

And that's it for my first station profile.

Just a reminder tracks are for trains. All my photos were taken from public land and roads including level crossings. 

As this is my first station profile if you like what you've see or have some constructive advice on what I could do better please leave a comment.

And that's about it.

An afternoon in the Taieri Gorge

Hindon Station Sign

After getting a few things done around Dunedin I had a few hours to spare before having to get home. With the camera in the car I thought I'd head out to one of my favourite spots, Wingatui Railway Station. Wingatui is the junction between the South Island Main Trunk and the former Otago Central Railway. 

When the OCR closed in 1990, the Dunedin City Council  purchased the picturesque portion of the line between Taieri and Middlemarch. The line was then run as a tourist line by the Otago Excursion Train Trust.

I didn't have to wait long before a Dunedin Railways passenger service came off the junction onto the South Island Main Trunk as it made its way back to Dunedin. Just a shame the DJ loco was running long hood first.

DJ 1209 arrives at Wingatui Railway Station with a Dunedin Railways passenger train. 15/11/17.

With the DJ and its train now gone I made my way to the Fonterra Siding at Taieri. Fonterra has a large store here which is mainly used to store milk powder from the dairy factory at Edendale. The milk powder is transferred from curtain sider containers into the store and then into standard 40 and 20 foot containers for export. Kiwi Rail run a number of Fonterra shunting services between Taieri, Dunedin and Port of Otago at Port Chalmers every day. During the dairy season the amount of milk powder being transported is so large that the line between Wingatui and Port Chalmers becomes one of the busiest single lines in New Zealand. 

DC 4012 and DCP 4513 shunt a short container train into the Fonterra container sidings at Taieri. 15/11/17.

After getting a few shots at Taieri and with plenty of time to spare I decided to head up to Hindon. Hindon is a small station located in the Taieri Gorge. While there's no longer any freight trains using the line, Dunedin Railways, formally the Otago Excursion Train Trust and Taieri Gorge Railway, run regular passenger services from Dunedin through the Taieri Gorge to Pukerangi and Middlemarch. 

Approaching Hindon I spotted a Dunedin Railways Hi-railer at work on the line. The line passes through some very rugged country and is very prone to slips and washouts. In fact, the Taieri Gorge line was closed between July and September this year after a storm caused washouts and slips along the line. Two Otago Daily Times stories about the storm damage can be found here and here. 

A Dunedin Railways HI-Railer at work in the Taieri Gorge. 

A crib (holiday house) above Hindon station has the old station sign attached. 

Holiday house with the old Hindon station sign.

Before heading down to Hindon station I checked out the nearby Hindon road / rail bridge over the Taieri River. This bridge hasn't always been a road / rail bridge. Timber decking was added to the original bridge structure to allow road access to the north side of the Taieri River.

Approach to the Hindon road / rail bridge. 15/11/17.

The bridge is an awesome example of Victorian engineering. The lattice steel trusses and stone pillars have stood the test of time. Due to the isolated nature of the Taieri Gorge, engineers had to use building materials that were close at hand. Many of the bridges are constructed using stone pillars and abutments. Mortar holding the stone together was made using sand and aggregate from the river. Other construction materials like steel were hauled into the gorge using horses and bullock teams. 

The Hindon road / rail bridge. 15/11/17.

From the road on the opposite side of the gorge I got my first sight of the Hindon railway station and yard. 

Hindon Railway Station and Yard in the Taieri Gorge. 15/11/17.

Hindon itself was a small settlement established to serve farms in the area. Opened in 1889, Hindon railway station provided an important link between these isolated farms and the city of Dunedin. The station was used to cross trains making their way through the Taieri Gorge and provided a means for local farmers to receive goods and fertiliser and ship livestock and wool to freezing works and wool stores in Dunedin. Hindon was also an important passenger stop as it had a refreshment room for passengers heading between Dunedin and Central Otago.

Today Hindon is a stopping point for Dunedin Railway passenger trains and is also used to store Dunedin Railways maintenance train.

Hindon station and yard with the maintenance train. 15/11/17.

Hindon Railway Station.15/11/17.

Rear of the station. 

 Side of the station.

Station front.

The station yard still has a lot of infrastructure that could be found at yards throughout New Zealand from the 1950's through to the 1980's.

Jigger and maintenance of way sheds.

Main line points lever.

The station yard itself is a pretty simple affair with a main line, passing loop and goods siding.

Hindon station yard. 15/11/17.

In the yard was Dunedin Railway's maintenance train consisting of bogie flat wagons, four wheel ballast wagons and a ballast plow van.

 Dunedin Railway's maintenance train at Hindon. 15/11/17.

 Bogie Flat Wagon US90 at Hindon. 15/11/17.

Ballast wagon YC 648 at Hindon. 15/11/17.

Ballast plow van EP65 at Hindon. 15/11/17.

After getting some shots around Hindon it was time to head back to Dunedin. As I climbed out of the gorge I stopped to get a shot of the Christmas Creek Bridge, one of several curved lattice steel bridges found in the Taieri Gorge.

Christmas Creek Bridge. 15/11/17.

As I got back into the car I heard the unmistakable noise of a DJ's Caterpillar D398 V12 diesel engine approach. After a short run down the road I was able to grab a few shots of a Dunedin Railways service as it crossed the Christmas Creek and Hindon bridges on its approach to Hindon.

A Dunedin Railways passenger train crosses Christmas Creek in the Taieri Gorge. 15/11/17.

 A Dunedin Railways passenger train crosses over the Taieri River near Hindon. 15/11/17.

A Dunedin Railways passenger train rounds some curves as it approaches Hindon station. 15/11/17.

With time ticking it was time to end my adventure and head back to town.

If you're around Dunedin and get the chance, I can't recommend a trip on Dunedin Railways through the Taieri Gorge enough. The Dunedin Railways staff do an amazing job maintaining and operating this beautiful piece of railway line.

For more information about Dunedin Railways and their passenger services go to their website at www.dunedinrailways.co.nz . 

And that's about it.

Steam Special

Ja 1240 with its excursion train cresting Tumai Bank. One of my best shots of the day! 24/1/15.

A few days ago I found out about a special steam excursion being run by the Taieri Gorge Railway. The excursion was to be a return trip from Dunedin to Oamaru behind steam locomotive Ja 1240. 

Ja 1240 was one of a group of 51 4-8-2 'mountain' type steam locomotives built by the New Zealand Railways Hillside workshops in Dunedin and the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow, Scotland. Entering service in March 1947, Hillside built 1240 worked throughout Otago, Southland, Canterbury and the West Coast before being withdrawn from service in November 1971. Luckily 1240 was preserved and is now owned by Ian Welch and cared for by his team at Mainline Steam.

Scheduled for an 8:00am departure from Dunedin, we headed down to Waitati to pick up the action. After a bit of a wait the excursion arrived with two of the Taieri Gorge Railway's very tidy DJ diesel locomotives on point. The DJ's lead the train from Dunedin to Waitati due to government imposed health and safety regulations around steam locomotives operating in tunnels.

DJ 1209 with another unidentified DJ wait in the loop as the excusion proceeds down the hill and into Waitati. 24/1/15. 

Uncoupling from the train the DJ's and 1240's service wagon entered the Waitati loop to allow the excursion through on the main.

Side by side DJ 1209 with Ja 1240 at Waitati. 24/1/15.

After getting my shots at Waitati it was time to head north. Stopping near Warrington, I joined a number of other foamers.... sorry I mean railway enthusiasts waiting for the excursion.

 Waiting for the train spoting the train spotters.

After a bit of a wait, Ja 1240 and the excursion arrived and began its climb up towards Seacliff. Both DJ's had now coupled to the rear of the train and were acting as bankers for the climbs ahead.

 Ja 1240 and the excursion approaching Warrington. 24/1/15.

And crossing the Coast Road overbridge. 

Heading north along Coast Rd, it didn't take long to get caught in the inevitable convoy of "railway enthusiasts" that follow a steam locomotive. Now it seems like everytime there's a steam locomotive, any driver nearby totally forgets the road rules. Theres nothing like an SUV screaming away from you only to slam on the brakes and dive to the left or right without indicating because they've spyed a good spot. There was also plenty of near misses seen as drivers spent more time looking for the train rather than on the road and other road users who were most likely looking for the train as well!

Anyway, just before Seacliff the convoy ground to a halt at a railway crossing with bells, flashing lights and barriers where we waited and waited some more.

The convoy stuck at a railway crossing just south of Seacliff. The excursion can be seen at the upper right of the photo. 

Now I'm not sure why the excursion had ground to a halt south of us but seeing 1240 get the train moving again on the grade (with the assistance of the DJ's) was good to watch. I managed to get a few shots as the excursion passed us gathering speed.

Ja 1240 climbs the grades near Seacliff. 24/1/15. 

And another shot. 

With the barriers up it was time to head north once again. North of Seacliff I decided to use a spot I'd used once or twice in the past. I knew the shot I'd get probably wouldn't be that flash but I knew the convoy was heading for Merton and I didn't want to be fighting for room there.

The excursion cruising along the Otago coastline with Otago Peninsular and the Pacific Ocean in the background. 24/1/15.

On the road once again we got through Karitane and headed towards state highway 1. To get there we had to cross the Main South Line at Merton. Merton was packed. One of my favourite railfanning spots was now inundated with railfans most of which were setting up for that classic shot of a train crossing the Merton bridge. 

Successfully dodging some more ducking and diving SUV's we headed to one of my all time favourite spots the Tumai bank. While there were a few railfans waiting, there was plenty of room for everybody and soon the excursion could be heard working hard up the bank.

 The excursion cresting the bank and starting the downgrade to Goodwood. 24/1/15.

Both 1240 and the train looked great as they crested the Tumai bank and I knew I had some good shots on the SD card. It was time to head north again towards my next spot. 

Being a local certainly helped today because while plenty of people go from one well known spot to another theres plenty of places I've discovered that offer great photos too.

One of those spots is the Goodwood railway crossing in Palmerston. I was really surprised to arrive there and find we were all alone. Theres something quite satisfying about having a train all to yourself especially when there's a whole heap of people chasing the same train. It was at Goodwood Road where I got one of my favourite shots of the day.

The excursion at Goodwood Rd. 24/1/15.

By now the kids were getting a little restless so were bribed with an icecream at Palmerston. The excursion had stopped as well and as we passed the crew was finishing up filling the tender with water. Heading north we came across 961 Middleton - Dunedin freight at Bushey behind two DC diesel locomotives. 961 was holding the loop while waiting for the excusion to pass.

 961 Middleton - Dunedin freight at Bushy. DC 4277 doing its best steam locomotive impersonation. 24/1/15.

Grabbing a quick shot of 961 from the wrong side we continued our travels north to another favourite spot of mine just north of the Shag River bridge. Yes that really is the name of the river. 

This spot has been very kind to me in the past due to the large piles of metal chip that is stored here for roading projects. I've been told the key to good train photo's is height, height and more height. I'm sure that weather, the sun and the locomotive on the front not being a DL locomotive also play a part too, but those metal piles were great for getting some elevation. Not this time though. Must of been some road works completed recently because those big piles of metal were now merely small mounds.

It didn't matter though as I was still able to get a good shot with Puketapu in the background to boot. 

The excursion with Puketapu in the background. 24/1/15. 

Back on the road we once again headed north on state highway one to another spot I enjoy just south of Katiki. Ja 1240 was again looking pretty in the viewfinder as it approached the former Katiki station.

Ja 1240 looking good as it approaches Katiki. 24/1/15.

Crossing the overbridge at Katiki I could see the train had come to a halt at Katiki and plenty of people were hopping off. I'm guessing it must of been a photo stop for the passengers.

Shortly after we arrived at our final spot for the day at Hampden. There was a bit of a wait but it was worth it as Ja 1240 put on a show as it climbed up the grade to the site of the former Hampden station.

Ja 1420 climbing the grade to the former Hampden station site. 24/1/15.

Turning around I managed to grab a going away shot as the excursion headed deeper into North Otago.

And the going away shot.

While the excursion and the convoy continued their trips north it was time to call it a day and head back home.

Big thanks to the good people of the Taieri Gorge Railway, Mainline Steam and Kiwi Rail for putting on a great morning of entertainment. I feel guilty getting my photo's without contributing to the running of this train. Might have to pop into the Dunedin Railway Station to drop off a donation to the TGR.

Also a big thanks to the Otago Rural Fire Authority. Otago is in a total fire ban at the moment due to the 'big dry'. Throughout the morning I saw rural fire vehicles following the train checking for any fires. If it wasn't for these guys this trip would not have gone ahead. Cheers lads.

And thats about it.