Enthusiasm as strong as ever for Taieri Gorge train

What started as a modest railway journey for enthusiasts and visitors, running a few times a week during the summer, has grown into a thriving and popular tourist attraction which will mark its 25th anniversary this month.

The first Taieri Gorge Ltd railway excursion rumbled down the tracks between Dunedin and Pukerangi in February 1987, when the Otago Excursion Train Trust decided to expand its operations.

The trust was set up in 1979 by a group of railway enthusiasts who wanted to revive the pleasure of travelling by railway, and ran regular excursions and charters through the South Island and some to the North Island.

Since Taieri Gorge Ltd's first excursion into the hinterland, the operation has become a regular tourist train, running every day of the year and twice a day during summer, and has carried more than 802,000 local residents, tourists and cruise-ship visitors.

Taieri Gorge Ltd senior hostess Pat Tutty (57) has been serving passengers in the train's catering carriage for the past 21 years and cannot believe how quickly the time has passed.

She recalled the company's humble beginnings when it had three carriages carrying an average of 50 people a day.

Now, the operation carries about 130 passengers a day, she said.

"No day is the same. Today, for example, a lady injured her knee and I had to help with first aid.

"Then I went back to selling nuts and cola.

"We're very fortunate to have moving scenery. It's much better than a back office with no windows."

After 21 years, she is beginning to feel like part of the furniture, but remains passionate about her job.

"I love this place to bits. It's my second home.

"We all feel like we have a vested interest in the success of the business," she said.

Middlemarch business owner and Dunedin city councillor Kate Wilson said the train had had a substantial impact on Middlemarch's economy.

Before the regular excursions began, businesses were pulling out of the community and it was in danger of turning into a ghost town.

"It was certainly in need of new developments," she said.

"The train has underpinned a number of community developments which have helped the community grow. The Otago Central Rail Trail is part of that."

Ten years ago, there was barely a bed to sleep in, she said.

Now, there are more than 100 at B&Bs scattered around the area, and cafes were opening.

Taieri Gorge Ltd board chairman John Farry said the establishment of the tourist attraction had not been without challenges.

In 1990, the Government announced the closure of the line from Clyde to Wingatui, threatening travel through the scenic gorge.

So a Save the Train campaign was launched by the Otago Excursion Train Trust.

New Zealand Railways agreed to sell the 60km of railway line between Wingatui and Middlemarch, and the people of Dunedin raised $1.2 million in cash, pledges and gifts-in-kind to allow the purchase to be completed, he said.

And the Taieri Gorge Railway was born.

In 1996, the Taieri Gorge Railway Ltd was turned into a local authority trading enterprise to raise more capital, and the Dunedin City Council and the trust became the main shareholders.

"It's an expensive business running a railway. The cost of maintaining equipment and the tracks is huge.

"But we return a modest profit from a turnover of about $20 million each year."

Mr Farry said the company now carried about 80,000 passengers each year.

"I think that the train is a major attraction "There's been a lot of challenges and a lot of battles to get this far, but it's now well established and a critical component of the Dunedin infrastructure.

"With the support of the Dunedin City Council and the generous support of volunteers, we will go from strength to strength."

Taieri Gorge Ltd founding members and staff, board members, existing long-serving staff and other invited guests, will celebrate the 25-year milestone in a fitting way - by travelling on the 9.30am train to Middlemarch on Sunday where they will have a barbecue and celebratory drinks.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz