Walton Park Branch
Encyclopedia
The Walton Park Branch was located in Otago
, New Zealand
and operated from 1874 until 1957, except for the first section, which survived until 1980. It was adjacent to the Fernhill Branch
and was, in the words of David Leitch and Brian Scott, essentially "an industrial service siding
rejoicing in the status of a branch line
."
, with the junction at Burnside
. Construction commenced on 17 February 1874, and on 2 July 1874, it was open some 3.22 kilometres to Walton Park. Five years later, a brief extension of 0.77 km was opened to Saddle Hill
on 24 September 1879. The only structure associated with the branch built along its entire length was a shelter shed at Walton Park.
began in the 1970s.
. The rather unremarkable line is just as unremarkable in death as it was in life.
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and operated from 1874 until 1957, except for the first section, which survived until 1980. It was adjacent to the Fernhill Branch
Fernhill Branch
The Fernhill Branch is a railway line in Otago, New Zealand. It was opened in 1883 and a portion of it is technically still open today, but is disused...
and was, in the words of David Leitch and Brian Scott, essentially "an industrial service siding
Rail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
rejoicing in the status of a branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
."
Construction
The line was built to serve coal mines and ran east from the Main South LineMain South Line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railroad line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Invercargill via Dunedin...
, with the junction at Burnside
Burnside, Otago
Burnside is a mainly industrial suburb of the New Zealand city of Dunedin. It is located at the mouth of a long valley, the Kaikorai Valley, through which flows the Kaikorai Stream. This valley stretches to the northeast for . Burnside is to the southwest of the city centre, close to eastern end...
. Construction commenced on 17 February 1874, and on 2 July 1874, it was open some 3.22 kilometres to Walton Park. Five years later, a brief extension of 0.77 km was opened to Saddle Hill
Saddle Hill, New Zealand
Saddle Hill is a prominent landmark overlooking the northeastern end of the Taieri Plains in Otago, New Zealand. Within the limits of Dunedin city, it is located 18 kilometres to the west of the city centre, between Mosgiel and Green Island, and is clearly visible from many of the city's southern...
on 24 September 1879. The only structure associated with the branch built along its entire length was a shelter shed at Walton Park.
Operation
The Walton Park Branch's operations were of little significance. A review in 1895 said the line was in good order, and nothing of any note occurred until the section from Walton Park to Saddle Hill closed on 24 July 1944. This event in itself was so unremarkable that the railways annual report failed to mention it. After this stage, the branch was shunted only when required, and did not even appear on the public timetable by 1950. Coal traffic ceased seven years later and official closure occurred on 1 May 1957, though the first 0.58 km to Geddes was retained and used as a spur until 1 January 1980, and had necessitated the construction of an expensive underpass tunnel when the long drawn out construction of the Dunedin Southern MotorwayDunedin Southern Motorway
The Dunedin Southern Motorway is the main arterial route south from the South Island city of Dunedin, part of New Zealand's State Highway 1. It is one of the world's southernmost motorways.-Route:...
began in the 1970s.
The branch today
Very little remains of the Walton Park Branch. In 2000 the Southern Motorway extension was built over the formation to Saddle Hill. Commercial and residential development has obliterated the rest of the old formation, though some is still visible from State Highway 1, a significant relic being the motorway underpass tunnel at Green IslandGreen Island, New Zealand
Green Island is an island off the coast of Dunedin, New Zealand, also the name of one of the city's suburbs. The suburb is not on the sea — formerly a borough, it took its name from the Green Island bush, uncleared native forest extending from the valley where the town is centred over the hills...
. The rather unremarkable line is just as unremarkable in death as it was in life.