Part 4 - Summit to Cross Creek: The Incline

Now this section is the famous Rimutaka Incline with it's 1 in 15 gradient. It is 3 miles long (4.8 km) and was opened for traffic on 12 October 1878. The patented Fell centre-rail system was employed to enable specially-fitted locomotives to negotiate the steep grade safely. So this means there were three rails instead of the usual two on this section. 

Normal trains would pull carriages to either Summit or Cross Creek, then the Fell engines would be attached to haul the carriages up or break them carefully down the steep incline depending on the direction. Then they had to take the Fells off and let the train go on it's way. Mum and Dad both remember it well. It was a very slow journey what with changing engines twice as well.

The Rimutaka Incline operated successfully from 1878 to 1955. The 6 brave little Fell Engines busted their boilers for 77 years!

Summit Tunnel 584m long- the Incline starts in the middle
of this tunnel

Out the other end

Very pretty waterfall

On the other side of Summit Tunnel there is a very nice lookout point. You can see how far there is to go! In the distance I can see Price's Tunnel. But first there is Siberia to traverse. Known as Horseshoe Gully while the railway was being built, this area became known as Siberia because of the severe wind and weather that blasted through there, including snow. The only fatal accident on the line happened here in 1880 due to a huge gust of wind pitching three carriages over the embankment. Sadly four children died.

Lookout over the Rail Trail

Siberia Tunnel

Horseshoe "Siberia" Bend used to follow along a large curved earth embankment that filled what is now the Siberia Gully from 1876 to 1967. In 1967 it collapsed in a massive washout after the line was closed and maintenance was stopped on the stream diversion system. The concrete intake shaft that was installed to collect and divert the gully stream remains standing in the gully. Now you have to dismount your bike and make your way down into the gully. Then it's a matter of picking your way across the stream, pushing your bike.

Looking down onto Siberia Gully and the stream

Stream diversion shaft - the top is the level that the
railway line once was

Back up onto the Incline

Soon enough you find yourself pushing the bike back up onto the Incline again, and now it's time to fly like the wind! Due to the steepness of the Incline it is a pleasurable ride downhill albeit on a gravelly track. Not a lot of pedaling required on the descent to Cross Creek!

Price's Tunnel

First glimpse of the Wairarapa Valley

Entering Cross Creek Station