But to John and Sandra Murray, it is the railway to paradise.
Mr Murray (67), a retired mechanical engineer, has spent the past six months building the incline lift to carry his 64-year-old wife and himself up the hillside from Somerville St to their house.
At the moment, the couple were using a 40m long pathway up the steep slope, which was beginning to make their house less and less attractive, he said.
"Lugging up the firewood and the groceries is getting a bit hard.
We're looking at the future for when we won't be able to walk up there anymore."
When they bought the house 30 years ago, Mr Murray said he promised his wife she would never have any problems getting to and from their home, and the incline lift made his promise good.
The lift took about 90sec to travel from street level to the house and the $12,000-$15,000 price tag was worth it, he said.
"The lift has made our house paradise."
The lift has been certified by a lift surveyor and once the Dunedin City Council signed it off, the couple would live a life of luxury.
"We're really looking forward to using it. It'll make life a lot easier."
