Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust chairman Brent Irving walks on the Chain Hills Tunnel trail, which recently won the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Restoration Award. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Eagle-eyed users of the Chain Hills Tunnel trail may notice something slightly different about the tunnel entrance at Wingatui on their next visit. The Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust and the Dunedin City Council won the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Restoration Award at the recent Federation of Railway Organisations of New Zealand conference in Auckland, and the award plaque is to be attached to the front face of the tunnel entrance. The award recognises the tireless work of trust members and the support of the DCC over many years, to restore and reuse the Chain Hills tunnel, as well as work on the track leading to it. The project is part of the construction of the wider Dunedin Tunnels Trail project, which aims to continue the trail from the tunnel, through Abbotsford, Green Island, up Kaikorai Valley to the Caversham Tunnel, and out the other side where it will join up with the existing cycleway in Caversham. Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust trustee Gerard Hyland first championed the project in 2005, and travelled to Auckland to receive the award. ‘‘Winning this award came as a complete surprise,’’ he said. ‘‘We really are thrilled to get the recognition for the tunnel and for the work done on it throughout the years, and the work that the DCC has done with implementing the upgrade and restoration. ‘‘It’s nice to see others are watching and taking note of the project and understand its value.’’ Mr Hyland said the award was well-timed and gave ‘‘more steam’’ to keep the project on track. ‘‘It hopefully will add some impetus to the whole project. ‘‘The project was a bit of a sleeper, but now it’s waking up. ‘‘It’s another stepping stone, a paving stone, on our journey.’’ Trust chairman Brent Irving said it was ‘‘great national recognition’’ for the project and its heritage values, as well as the efforts of trust members, DCC staff, contractors and volunteers. ‘‘This project has been many years in the making and is already proving to be popular with the public, which is fantastic to see.’’ He said the trust was looking forward to making further announcements soon, on the next stages of the three-stage project. Work on the first stage was completed late last year, at a cost of $1.8 million. DCC project director Dr Glen Hazelton said it was an ‘‘amazing’’ new community asset. ‘‘It’s really cool seeing so many members of our community — young and old — out there experiencing the tunnel and the beautiful native bush surrounding it. ‘‘This award is the icing on the cake for a project we’re all proud to have helped deliver.’’ The trust received a further government funding grant of $2 million, which will go towards delivering future stages of the project, and the DCC continues to support delivery of the project. This will include making Caversham Tunnel available for future track development. john.lewis@odt.co.nz
