Light at the end of the Tunnel - Rakis Tunnel on the Tokarahi Branch

Interior of the Rakis Tunnel.

Returning from a work trip up the Waitaki Valley I decided to take a short detour to explore the Rakis Tunnel. 

The Rakis Tunnel is one of two tunnels on the former Tokarahi Branch. The Tokarahi Branch left the Ngapara Branch at Windsor. Construction of the 19.22 branch started in June 1879 and was opened for traffic in July 1887. The branch had a short life and closed in July 1930. 

Above the tunnel is the significant flat top feature called the Rakis Table. The Rakis Table is made of Raki Siltstone deposited around 42 million years ago when this area was underwater. The tunnel is named after this feature.

The tunnel is about 100 metres long with a curve in the middle so there is very little light in the middle of the tunnel. I would highly recommend bringing a torch or head lamp.

Rakis Tunnel is easily accessible and is now part of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail.

If you don't want to bike the over 300 km's from Aoraki Mount Cook Village to Oamaru to visit the tunnel you can drive to the carpark located on Tunnel Road. The carpark is marked by an Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail sign.

Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail sign at the carpark on Tunnel Road.

From the carpark you walk down to the former Tokarahi Branch right of way and follow this about 150 metres to the western portal of the Rakis Tunnel.

The Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail leading to the western portal of the Rakis Tunnel.

Approach to the western portal of the Rakis Tunnel.

At the western portal is a small Alps to Ocean sign with the name of the railway tunnel, its years of service and due to the nature of the tunnel that lights are recommended and that there is an overhead rock fall hazard.

                            A2O sign at the western portal of the Rakis Tunnel.

Both portals of the tunnel are constructed of local sand stone.

Western portal of the Rakis Tunnel.

Detail shot of the western portal of the tunnel.

The western end of the portal is very wet with water leaking down through the ceiling of the tunnel and water coming in from outside the portal. Evidence of the water leaks can be seen on the walls of the tunnel especially on the northern side. 

The wet floor and walls at the western end of the tunnel.

While there has been some work done to assist with drainage the constant water leaks make the surface of the tunnel at the western end very slippery and not great for cycling on. I would highly recommend that any cyclist walk through the tunnel to avoid falls.

After passing the wet area at the western end of the tunnel the tunnel floor firms up and is free of water.

Internal detail of the tunnel walls and ceiling.

At about the middle of the tunnel is a niche built into the northern side. railsystem.net defines a niche as 'an area / adit off the main tunnel used for emergency supplies'. I'm not sure the tunnel is quite long enough that it required emergency supplies but was probably constructed for workers to quickly move out of the if caught in the tunnel when a train approached.

The recess in the northern side of the tunnel.

From the niche the tunnel straightens and the eastern portal comes into view.

View looking out from the eastern portal.

As you walk through the eastern portal of the tunnel you can see the brick work of the portal and how it is connected to the tunnel's brick lining.

Brick work at the eastern portal.

On walking outside the eastern portal is of the same sand stone construction as the western portal. Of the two portals this would be in the best condition of the two.

Detail shot of the eastern portal.

From the eastern end of the Rakis tunnel the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail continues east using the former Tokarahi Branch right of way and parts of the Ngapara Branch as it weaves through North Otago on its way to Oamaru.

Eastern portal of the Rakis Tunnel.

So if you enjoy looking at old branch railway infrastructure, you're in North Otago and can spare an hour or two I would highly recommend a visit to the Rakis Tunnel.

And that's about it.