Author(s): Geoffrey B. Churchman

NZ Railways | Secondhand

Secondhand. First published in 1988. This is the fourth edition.

Acclaimed for years as one of the great railway journeys of the world, the Midland Line, linking Canterbury and Westland through the Southern Alps, is a story of perseverance and adventure. In New Zealand’s sparsely populated colonial days the early settlers battled to have a railway between the two provinces, but after setback upon setback from politicians, decided to build the line themselves. Faced with the enormous costs and difficulties in forging through the Alps, however, the New Zealand Midland Railway Company likewise failed. Another three decades followed before the line was completed, including the famous 8.6 km long Otira tunnel.

This book is a pictorial history of the line from the 1880s to the 1990s, and contains a large number of photographs – half in color – of trains in action amidst the spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps from the steam, electric and diesel eras.

VG. Minor marks on some pages. The previous owner's name on the title page.