Weka Pass Railway

{{Short description|Heritage railway in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Heritage Railway |name = Weka Pass Railway |other_name = |image = NZR A class No. 428 at Frog Rock on the Weka Pass Railway.jpg |caption = A 428 just leaving Frog Rock cutting. |locale = [[Waipara]], New Zealand |coordinates = {{coord|-43.0544|172.7579|type:landmark|display = inline,title}} |terminus = Glenmark Station and Waikari Station |connections = [[KiwiRail]] [[Main North Line, New Zealand|Main North Line]] |linename = [[Waiau Branch]]line |builtby = [[New Zealand Railways Department|New Zealand Government Railways]] |originalgauge = {{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}} |preservedgauge = {{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}} |owned = Weka Pass Railway Society |operator = Weka Pass Railway Society |stations = Two |length = {{convert|12.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} |originalopen = 15 December 1919 |closed = 15 January 1978 |years = 1982 |events = Formation of Society |years1 = 1984 |events1 = First Operation of Trains |years2 = 1993 |events2 = Recommissioning of A 428 |years3 = 1995 |events3 = Inaugural Waipara Vintage Festival |years4 = 1999 |events4 = Official opening of the railway |years5 = 2003 |events5 = Opening of the Waikari turntable |years6 = 2009 |events6 = Opening of the Glenmark turntable |website = {{URL|http://www.wekapassrailway.co.nz/}} }} The '''Weka Pass Railway''' is a [[List of New Zealand railway museums and heritage lines|New Zealand heritage railway]] based in [[Waipara]], North [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]]. It is operated on a {{Convert|12.8|km|4=0|abbr=on|adj=on}} length of the former [[Waiau Branch]] railway between [[Waipara]] and [[Waikari]]. The railway is operated by an incorporated society which consists solely of members and volunteers, and are largely resident in the city of [[Christchurch]], {{Convert|60|km|abbr=on}} to the south. The railway began carrying passengers in 1984 and is now well established locally and nationally.<ref name="Dew">{{cite book|title=The Great Northern – the story of the Waiau Branch |first=Leslie |last=Dew |publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc.|ISBN=0-473-07188-6 |date=2001}}</ref>

==History==

===Beginnings=== {{main|Waiau Branch}}

The first stage of the Waiau Branch line inland through the [[Weka Pass]] to Waikari was completed in 1882. This area is noted for its scenery and the railway passes through many large cuttings, around tight curves and on steep gradients (max 1 in 47). When originally built the line was expected to be part of the [[South Island Main Trunk Railway]] north of the city of [[Christchurch]]. Further sections of the line through [[Hawarden, New Zealand|Hawarden]], [[Medbury]], Balmoral, Pahau, [[Culverden]], Achray, [[Rotherham, New Zealand|Rotherham]] and [[Waiau, Canterbury|Waiau]] were constructed in subsequent years. The line was officially opened to Medbury in 1884 and to Culverden in 1886, but the final section to Waiau was not completed until 1919. In the 1920's the decision was made to take the [[Main North Line, New Zealand|Main North Line]] on a coastal route north out of Waipara. The Main North Line, which involved major earthworks and many engineering difficulties, was not completed until 1945.<ref name="Dew"/>

[[File:Weka Pass Railway Station, Waikari, New Zealand.jpg|thumb|Weka Pass Railway Station, Waikari, New Zealand]]

The Waiau Branch suffered the fate of many rural branch lines in later years as increasing competition from road transport saw a decline in traffic carried. For many years, the railways were protected from this competition by mileage limits; as these were gradually increased, more and more branches were closed down. The branch line had a short reprieve in its twilight years when large amounts of logs were carried from the Balmoral forest. Closure occurred on 15 January 1978.<ref name="Dew"/>

===Formation=== A public meeting at [[Waipara]] in August 1982 saw a steering committee established to investigate the Weka Pass Railway proposal. There had been interest from a number of people in preserving part of this old branch line particularly in the scenic Weka Pass.<ref name="Dew"/> The impetus came from local Waipara people who saw the tourist potential, and railway enthusiasts, many drawn from the [[Ferrymead Railway]]. An [[incorporated society]], Weka Pass Railway Incorporated, was formally established in November that year,<ref name="Dew"/> and formally registered on 25 March 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://app.businessregisters.govt.nz/sber-businesses/viewInstance/view.html?id=229a78e05307b6d8bf1b29667f00cb17a73351bf8d614445&_timestamp=1784772463831052|title=View Details - Weka Pass Railway Incorporated|publisher=Registrar of Incorporated Societies|accessdate=3 September 2025}}</ref> The new group began negotiating with New Zealand Railways Corporation and other parties to purchase track, locomotives, rolling stock and other facilities. In May 1983, the first major public event was held. The "''Mayfair Festival''" was held and featured the [[Canterbury Railway Society]]s [[Manning Wardle]] No. 1841 of 1914, and Fowler No. 16246 of 1924 from the Canterbury Steam Preservation Society, along with rakes of LA and LC "high-side" wagons, full of passengers. Shuttles ran from the old Waipara yard to the 3&nbsp;km straight.<ref name="Dew"/>

In July 1983, the railway agreed with the [[New Zealand Railways Corporation]] to lease the line between Waipara and the south bank of the [[Hurunui River]].<ref name="Dew"/> Public running commenced on 4 June 1984, and travelled from McCaskeys Level Crossing to Herberts Level Crossing (and stopped for picnics at Frog Rock along the way). The WPR purchased the leased section of the line on 3 September 1984, and the final payment was made on 28 August 1990. On 30 September 1984, running on the line ceased due to legal complications about the transfer of the ownership.<ref name="Dew"/> The railway was later granted permission to operate trains under their own name on the line, a public running recommenced on 17 March 1985.<ref name="Dew"/>

Following the closure the [[Waiau Branch|Waiau line]], all of the track remained in place except for the removal of a level crossing at [[Waikari]] where the road crossed [[New Zealand State Highway 7|State Highway 7]] due to Transit New Zealand and the National Roads Board refusing for the crossing to be reinstalled.<ref name="Dew"/> Because of this, in September 1988, the WPR agreed to lift the line between Waikari and the south bank of the Hurunui River, and section was finally lifted by July 1991.<ref name="Dew"/>

==Track and turntables==

===Track=== The Weka Pass Railway operates {{Convert|12.8|km|abbr=on}} of the former [[Waiau Branch]] Line between [[Waipara]] and its terminus at [[Waikari]].<ref name="Dew"/>

Not long after trains commenced running to Waikari, the railway suffered a major setback in 1986 when heavy rain damaged the line in a number of places. During this time, it was decided that the line wasn't in good condition, and it would need extensive repairs, and earthworks in some portion of line.<ref name="Dew"/> By April 1987, trains were running to the {{Convert|5.5|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} peg.<ref name="Dew"/> Due to a slump near Antils Hut found in September 1987, trains were once again restricted.<ref name="Dew"/> After repairs were made, trains recommenced running to the area on 28 January 1988.<ref name="Dew"/> During this time, the section of track between the old Waipara yard and Glenmark Station were realigned.<ref name="Dew"/> In the same year, work started in Waikari with the ripping up of track.

On 3 June 1990, trains started operating to Gate No. 2. Trains then started operating to Frog Rock in June 1991, and to Herberts Crossing on 23 August 1992. The line later reached Timpendean, but due to the lack of a suitable picnic area, trains were only allowed to run to Herberts Level Crossing.<ref name="Dew"/> On 11 September 1999 was marked as a historical day for the WPR, as it was the day for the grand opening of the new line to Waikari, and also the official opening day of the WPR.<ref name="Dew"/> A "members train" was hauled by [[New Zealand DG and DH class locomotive|D^G]]s 770 and 791 and travelled all the way to Waikari, and after dropping the members off at the platform, the train was propelled back, where the D^Gs were placed into the turntable road, and [[NZR F class|F 163]] sat in the loop with the "members train".<ref name="Frog Rock Times">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=November 1999}}</ref> A "special guest train", which was hauled by [[NZR A class (1906)|A 428]], followed soon after. [[NZR WD class|W^D 357]] sat at the end of the line at the stop block.<ref name="Frog Rock Times"/> In 2001, a new turn-out was installed in the yard in Waipara.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=August 2001}}</ref>

===Turntables=== The railway has a [[Railway turntable|turntable]] at both Glenmark and [[Waikari]]. A {{Convert|55|ft|adj=on}} turntable was installed in Waikari on 3 October 2002,<ref name="Frog Rock November 2002">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=November 2002}}</ref> and was recommissioned on 31 August 2003. A special train ran from [[Christchurch]] hauled by [[New Zealand DC class locomotive|DCP 4761]], as well as another train, which was hauled by [[NZR A class (1906)|A 428]] and composed of the railway's own carriages. The turntable was found in a scrap heap in Middleton Yard (in Christchurch), and was purchased by the railway in the mid-1990's.<ref>{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=9|number=2|ISSN=1173-2229|date=March 2003}}</ref> A {{Convert|62|ft|adj=on}} turntable was installed in Glenmark (Waipara). It took 14 months for the turntable to be restored and installed, and was reopened on 12 July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=16|number=1|ISSN=1173-2229|date=December 2009}}</ref> There were issues with the installation with the turntable, as the land was privately owned at the time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=9|number=4|ISSN=1173-2229|date=September 2003}}</ref> This now enables the locomotives to be turned to face the correct way, instead of running [[Tender (rail)|tender-leading]] on the return journey to Glenmark from Waikari. In 2010, the railway won the "''KiwiRail Network Infrastructure Improvement Undertaken by a Heritage Railway Award''" for the restorations of the two turntables.<ref>{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=16|number=3|ISSN=1173-2229|date=June 2010}}</ref>

==Buildings==

===Stations===

====Glenmark Station==== [[File:Glenmark Station (Weka Pass Railway).JPG|250px|thumb|Glenmark Station in Waipara]]

The ex-Mina Railway Station was built in 1910, and served many passenger trains along the [[Main North Line, New Zealand|Main North Line]], and had been extensively refurbished. By 1979, a new concrete front was needed to support the platform. In October 1980, the railway station became an unattended flag station, and was closed to all traffic.<ref name="Dew"/> A private resident and his family, who was living in [[Cheviot, New Zealand|Cheviot]] at the time, raised funds and made generous donations to preserve and transport the station to [[Waipara]]. In 1986 disassemble of the station commenced, and the station arrived in its current site in 1987.<ref name="Dew"/> The building was shifted in two sections, and after rejoining the two sections, a new roof was constructed, and new foundations made. A verandah was also fitted, and the station has been in use since April 1988.<ref name="Dew"/> To avoid confusion, the station was renamed as ''Glenmark Station'', to avoid confusion of the current [[Waipara Station]] on the Main North Line.<ref name="Dew"/>

====Waikari Station==== The ex-Hundalee Station was built in 1939, and is a standard class A station (which were designed by [[George Troup (architect)|George Troup]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx?c=21&r=4&l=141 |title=Hundalee Station (relocated) |website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=27 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927111718/http://www.railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx?c=21&r=4&l=141 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The station also served many passenger trains along the [[Main North Line, New Zealand|Main North Line]]. The building was purchased by the WPR, and was transported to [[Waikari]] on 29 October 1991.<ref name="Dew"/> By July 1992, the station was fully restored, and served its first train in Waikari on 11 September 1999.<ref name="Dew"/>

In 1995, the railway received an award from the Railway Heritage Trust of New Zealand for the restoration of the two stations.<ref name="Dew"/>

===Locomotive depot and workshop=== In the mid 1980's, a two-road workshop was built in the old [[Waipara]] railway yard. The depot was later extended to a three-road depot in 2005, and a pit was installed.<ref name="Frog Rock August 2004">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=August 2004}}</ref>

===Carriage Shed=== Between 2005 and 2006, a two-road carriage shed was built, and was fitted with roller doors. It houses the WPR's carriage fleet, [[Wickham trolley|Wickham Track Inspection Car]] and one or both [[New Zealand DG and DH class locomotive|D^G]]s. During mid-2012, the shed was fitted with four swinging doors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=September 2012}}</ref>

===Gate Huts=== Because of the railway running through private farmland, Gate Keepers are assigned to Gates Nos. 1 and 2. Because of this, a hut is allocated to both gates.

[[File:Gate No. 2 on the Weka Pass Railway.jpg|thumb|Gate No. 2 on the Weka Pass Railway]]

During the mid to late 1980's, phone-booth huts were built. But because of the small size of them, the ex-pump-house from the former [[Kaiapoi]] rail yard was transported to Gate No. 1, and the ex-[[Hawarden, New Zealand|Hawarden]] Gangers hut was transported to Gate No. 2, to replace the phone-booth like-huts. On 8 July 2004, two new brand new huts (which were built in the WPR's yard in [[Waipara]]) replaced the second-hand huts (which have since been demolished). The new huts have been named after two late members respectfully.<ref name="Frog Rock August 2004"/>

==Locomotives and rolling stock== The railway presently owns four locomotives, all formerly owned by the [[New Zealand Railways Department|New Zealand Government Railways]], and a large fleet of ex-NZR rolling stock.<ref name="Dew"/>

===NZR steam locomotives=== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration/repair |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Original class and number ! Builder ! Builders number ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#f4a460;" | [[NZR A class (1906)|A 428]] | [[A & G Price]] | 31 | {{dts|1909}} | {{dts|1983}} | Purchased by the A 428 Preservation Society in 1973 and leased to the W.P.R. in 1983. Restored in September 1993, 428 has been in active service ever since, only being withdrawn for necessary repairs when required. The locomotive ever since has gone to the WPR ownership. A428 is currently awaiting 10yr boiler inspection and overhaul after 30 years. |}

===NZR diesel locomotives=== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration/repair |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Original class and number ! TMS number ! Builder ! Builders number ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | [[New Zealand DE class locomotive|D^E 512]] | DE 1429 | [[English Electric]] | 1750 | {{dts|1951}} | {{dts|2015}} | This locomotive is owned by the [[Diesel Traction Group (NZ)|Diesel Traction Group]], and on long-term loan to the WPR for work trains and general shunting duties. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | [[NZR DG class|D^G 770]] | DG 2232 | English Electric | 2274/D353 | {{dts|1955}} | {{dts|1983}} | D^G 770 was purchased by the WPR in 1983. This locomotive is operational, and is used on passenger services. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | D^G 791 | DG 2468 | English Electric | 2295/D374 | {{dts|1955}} | {{dts|1983}} | D^G 791 was purchased by the WPR in 1983. This locomotive is operational, and is used on passenger services. |- style="background:#f4a460;" | [[NZR DSA class|D^SA 276]] | DSA 822 | [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]] | 1471 | {{dts|1967}} | {{dts|1992}} | D^SA 276 was owned by Rail Base Systems and leased to the WPR in 1992 until being subsequently purchased. The locomotive is undergoing an engine overhaul |}

===Carriages=== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration/repair |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Original class and number ! TMS number ! Builder ! Type ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#B7A4EB;" | A 523 | | [[Addington Railway Workshops|NZR Addington Workshops]] | {{Convert|43|ft|9|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} wooden body passenger carriage | {{dts|1896}} | {{dts|1986}} | Purchased from the [[West Coast Historical and Mechanical Society]] at [[Shantytown, New Zealand|Shantytown]].<ref name="NZRSR Passenger Cars">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=8&search=false&sort=none&order=none |title=Passenger Cars |website=New Zealand Rolling Stock Register |access-date=30 July 2017}}</ref> Used as a bunkhouse for members. It is the oldest piece of rolling stock held by the railway.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=December 2014}}</ref> |- style="background:#f4a460;" | A 1720 | A 50084<br>XPC 588 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled mainline coach | {{dts|1931}} | {{dts|2020}} | Purchased from [[Dunedin Railways]] in November 2019. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | A 1730 | A 50132 | NZR Addington Workshops | [[NZR 50-foot carriage|{{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled suburban carriage]] | {{dts|1931}} | {{dts|1983}} | Ex-Dunedin suburban services.<ref name="WPR Carriages">{{cite web |url=https://wekapassrailway.co.nz/carriages/ |title=Our Carriage Fleet |website=Weka Pass Railway |access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> Overhauled from 2012 to 2018.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014" /><ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2017">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=August 2017}}</ref> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | A 1731 | A 50140 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled mainline coach | {{dts|1931}} | {{dts|1983}} | Ex-Dunedin suburban services. Overhauled from 2004 to 2011.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014" /> Entered service on 1 May 2011.<ref name="Railfan June 2011">{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=17|number=3|ISSN=1173-2229|date=June 2011}}</ref> In 2012, it won the "''FRONZ Passenger Carriage Restoration Award''".<ref>{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=18|number=3|ISSN=1173-2229|date=June 2012}}</ref><ref name="WPR Carriages" /> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | A 1732 | A 50159 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled suburban carriage | {{dts|1931}} | {{dts|2009}} | Ex-Dunedin suburban services.<ref name="WPR Carriages" /> Purchased from the Otago Excursion Train Trust.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014" /> Stored, awaiting restoration.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2016">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=April 2016}}</ref><ref name="Frog Rock Times September 2018">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=September 2018}}</ref> |- style="background:#f4a460;" | A 1733 | A 50167 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled suburban carriage | {{dts|1931}} | {{dts|1983}} | Ex-Dunedin suburban services.<ref name="WPR Carriages" /> Now undergoing overhaul. |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | A 1760 | A 50223 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled suburban carriage | {{dts|1932}} | {{dts|2008}} | Ex-Dunedin suburban services.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014" /> Purchased from the Otago Excursion Train Trust. Stored, awaiting restoration.<ref name="WPR Carriages" /> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | A^L 1697 | AL 50026 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled suburban carriage |{{dts|1930}} |{{dts|1983}} | Ex-Dunedin suburban services. Rebuilt as a car-van in October 1969.<ref name="Rolling Stock A">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/a.html |title=A |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=30 July 2017 |archive-date=18 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818050434/http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/a.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Restored from 1990 – 1993.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014" /> Underwent repairs and a tidy-up from December 2017 to March 2019. |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | A 1935 | A 3338 AC 3548 | NZR Addington Workshops | [[NZR 56-foot carriage|{{Convert|56|ft|0|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} steel-panelled mainline carriage]] | {{dts|1939}} | {{dts|2001}} | Currently in storage |}

===Viewing cars=== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration/repair |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Original class and number ! TMS number ! Builder ! Type ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | T 155 | T 385 | [[Addington Railway Workshops|NZR Addington Workshops]] | {{Convert|32|ft|6|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} wooden covered viewing car | c{{dts|1960}} | {{dts|1981}} | Formerly a cattle wagon.<ref name="Goods Wagons">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=7&search=false&sort=none&order=none |title=Goods Wagons |website=New Zealand Rolling Stock Register |access-date=30 July 2017}}</ref> Modified as a covered viewing car and reclassified as A^T 155 in 1988.<ref name="Dew"/> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | T 157 | T 409 | NZR Addington Workshops | {{Convert|32|ft|6|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} wooden open viewing car | c{{dts|1960}} | {{dts|1984}} | | Formerly a cattle wagon.<ref name="Dew"/> It was renumbered as T 385 circa 1978, and withdrawn on 7 November 1981 in Waipara.<ref name="Rolling Stock T">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/t---cattle-bogie.html |title=T – Cattle Bogie |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=30 July 2017}}</ref> Modified as an un-covered viewing car and reclassified as A^T 157 in September 1993.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014"/> |}

===Brake Vans=== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration/repair |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Original class and number ! TMS number ! Builder ! Type ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | F 497 | F 962 | [[Hillside Engineering|NZR Hillside Workshops]] | {{Convert|47|ft|6|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} wooden body brake van | {{dts|1927}} | {{dts|1985}} | Arrived in April 1985 after being donated by a member.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014"/><ref name="NZRSR Passenger Cars"/> It was restored from 1997–1998.<ref name="Railfan June 1999">{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=5|number=3|ISSN=1173-2229|date=June 1999}}</ref> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | F 699 | F 2854 | [[Addington Railway Workshops|NZR Addington Workshops]] | {{Convert|37|ft|6|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} wooden body brake van | {{dts|1964}} | {{dts|1987}} | Sold in April 1987. F 699 was restored in 1994,<ref name="Railfan December 1994">{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=1|number=1|ISSN=1173-2229|date=December 1994}}</ref> and is one of the last wooden vans built by the NZR.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2014"/>

|}

=== Wagons === {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Original class and number ! TMS number ! Type ! Builder ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | E 2882 | E 1344 | Four-wheel steel open high sided wagon | [[Hillside Engineering|NZR Hillside Workshops]] | {{dts|1908}} | {{dts|1983}} | Originally built as L^A 8337.<ref name="NZ Rolling Stock Lists - LA">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/la---highside-steel-of-1902.html |title=LA – Highsider of 1902 |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="NZ Rolling Stock Lists Service Wagons - E">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/e---service-4-wheel.html |title=E – Service 4 Wheel |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=April 2015}}</ref> Stored, awaiting restoration.<ref name="NZRSR Goods Wagons">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=7&search=false&sort=none&order=none |title=Goods Wagons |website=New Zealand Rolling Stock Register |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | E^A 1664 | EA 65 | {{Convert|50|ft||abbr=on|adj=on}} Covered wooded bogie wagon | [[Addington Railway Workshops|NZR Addington Workshops]] | {{dts|1935}} | {{dts|1987}} | Originally built as Z 262.<ref name="NZ Rolling Stock Lists - Z">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/z---covered-bogie-of-1894.html |title=Z – Covered Bogie of 1894 |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="NZ Rolling Stock Lists - EA">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/ea---service-bogie.html |title=EA – Service Bogie |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="NZRSR Goods Wagons"/> Modified with a mess room and a tool storage room in early 1987. Refurbished and re-roofed in 2014.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> Used on work trains to transport the track gang to work sites along the line. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | E^UB 4164 | EA 2662 | Bogie crane support wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1926}} | {{dts|1989}} | Originally entered service as U^B 818.<ref name="NZ Rolling Stock Lists - UB">{{cite web |url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/ub---flat-bogie.html |title=UB – Flat Bogie |website=NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists |access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="NZ Rolling Stock Lists - EA" /> Crane support and runner wagon for Diesel Crane N^O.197.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | H 1557 | H 1125 | Four wheel cattle wagon | [[Hurst Nelson]] (assembled at Addington Workshops) | {{dts|1959}} | {{dts|1981}} | Restored in 1998,<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> and officially recommissioned in April 2000.<ref name="Frog Rock Times March 2000">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=March 2000}}</ref> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | J^C 4971 | JC 487 | 4 wheel sheep wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | c{{dts|1952}} | {{dts|1989}} | Formerly preserved by the now-defunct Southern Rail Group at [[Prebbleton]].<ref name="NZRSR Goods Wagons"/> Restored in 1999,<ref name="Railfan June 1999"/> and officially recommissioned in April 2000.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /><ref name="Frog Rock Times March 2000"/> |- style="background:#B7A4EB;" | Unidentified K^P | Unidentified KP | 4 Wheel Box Wagon | [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]] | N/A | {{dts|1991|}} | Sold to the railway in May 1991 and used as a storage shed without wheels.<ref name="Dew"/> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | K^S 4556 | KS 12345 | 4-wheel steel covered wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1970}} | {{dts|2000}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/> Currently incorrectly stenciled KS 1235.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | K^S 4479 | KS 11507 KST 5069 | 4-wheel curtain sided wagon | [[Otahuhu Workshops|NZR Otahuhu Workshops]] | {{dts|1970}} | {{dts|2000}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/><ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | L^A 20341 | | 4-wheel open high-sider | NZR Otahuhu Workshops | {{dts|1941}} | c{{dts|1995}} | Stored, awaiting restoration.<ref name="NZRSR Goods Wagons"/> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | L^A 21338 | LA 39170 | 4-wheel open high-sider | NZR Addington Workshops | c{{dts|1950}} | {{dts|1986}} | |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | L^C 25542 | LC 1588 | 4-wheel steel open high side wagon | NZR Otahuhu Workshops | {{dts|1950}} | {{dts|1990}} | |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | L^PA 1193 | LPA 2730 | 4-wheel steel high side paper wagon | [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]] (assembled at Otahuhu Workshops) | {{dts|1973}} | {{dts|2001}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015"/><ref name="Goods Wagons"/> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | M^C 2386 | MC 4830 | 4 wheel wooden open low side wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1959}} | {{dts|1987}} | Overhauled in 1999,<ref name="Railfan June 1999"/> and received a tidy-up from May to July 2018. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | | NK 385 | 4-wheel steel flat-top wagon | NZR Hillside Workshops | {{dts|1985}} | {{dts|2000}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/><ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | T 168 | T 492 | Bogie cattle wagon | NZR Hillside Workshops | {{dts|1960}} | {{dts|1984}} | Stored body-less, awaiting restoration.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/><ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2015" /> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | U^B 618 | UB 228 | Bogie steel flat deck wagon | [[Newmarket Workshops|NZR Newmarket Workshops]] | {{dts|1908}} | {{dts|1983}} | Oldest freight wagon owned by the Weka Pass Railway.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=August 2015}}</ref> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | U^C 860 | UC 594 | Bogie tank wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1930}} | {{dts|2000}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015" /> Stored awaiting restoration.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | U^C 1232 | UC 1472 | Bogie tank wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1947}} | {{dts|2001}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015" /> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | [[New Zealand UD class wagon|U^D 1504]] | UD 61 EWW 46 | Bogie Works and Way Well wagon | NZR Otahuhu Workshops | {{dts|1952}} | {{dts|2000}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/> Used on [[KiwiRail]] work trains if required.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015" /> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | U^R 2275 | URT 304 | Steel flat deck bogie log wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1965}} | {{dts|1989}} | Used on work trains.<ref name="Frog Rock Times April 2017">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=April 2017}}</ref> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | V^R 137 | VR 1399 | Bogie Steel Insulated wagon | [[Kinki Sharyo|Kinki Sharyo Co.]] (assembled at Otahuhu Workshops) | {{dts|1964}} | {{dts|1983}} | |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | X^P 3226 | XP 2754 | 4-Wheel Ventilated Box Wagon | [[East Town Railway Workshops|NZR East Town Workshops]] | {{dts|1967}} | {{dts|1983}} | Restored in 1999,<ref>{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=February 1999}}</ref><ref name="Railfan June 1999"/> and officially recommissioned in April 2000.<ref name="Frog Rock Times March 2000"/> |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | Y^B 578 | YB 1247 | 4-wheel ballast wagon | NZR Hillside Workshops | {{dts|1942}} | N/A | |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | Y^B 621 | YB 1656 | 4-wheel ballast wagon | NZR Hillside Workshops | {{dts|1942}} | N/A | |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | Y^B 634 | YB 1783 | 4-wheel ballast wagon | NZR Hillside Workshops | {{dts|1942}} | N/A | |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | Y^B 637 | YB 1817 | 4-wheel ballast wagon | NZR Hillside Workshops | {{dts|1942}} | N/A | |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | Y^C 838 | YC 1716 | 4-wheel central-discharging ballast wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1960}} | {{dts|2007}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015" /> |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | Y^C 856 | YC 1906 | 4-wheel central-discharging ballast wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1960}} | {{dts|2007}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015" /> Occasionally used on work trains. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | Y^D 1035 | YD 392 | Bogie side-dump wagon | Differential Car Company | c{{dts|1950}} | {{dts|2013}} | Occasionally used on work trains. |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | Y^F 909 | YF 132 | 4-wheel side discharge ballast wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1964}} | {{dts|2007}} | Occasionally used on work trains. |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | Y^F 916 | YF 201 | 4-wheel side discharge ballast wagon | NZR Addington Workshops | {{dts|1965}} | {{dts|2001}} | Owned by the Rail Heritage Trust.<ref name="Goods Wagons"/> Incorrectly stenciled Y^F 203.<ref name="Frog Rock Times August 2015" /> |- style="background:#f4a460;" | Z 356 | Z 1032 | {{Convert|50|ft||abbr=on|adj=on}} Covered wooden bogie wagon | NZR Otahuhu Workshops | {{dts|1946}} | {{dts|1989}} | Under restoration.<ref name="Frog Rock Times December 2017">{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=December 2017}}</ref> |}

===Cranes===

{| class="wikitable" |- !Key: | style="background:#f5d26c;"|In service | style="background:#89e579;"|In service, Mainline Certified | style="background:#f4a460;"|Under overhaul/restoration | style="background:#ded7b6;"|Stored | style="background:#b7a4eb;"|Static display | style="background:#cecece;"|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Number ! TMS class and number ! Type ! Lifting capacity ! Builder ! Builders number ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | 197 | EL 1007 | Diesel | {{Convert|10|t}} | [[Ransomes & Rapier]] | F5637 | {{dts|1943}} | {{dts|1989}} | Entered service in 1943, and was the NZR's first diesel crane. It was not permitted to travel on the [[Rewanui Branch|Rewanui]] or Paparoa Inclines.<ref name=Cranes>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzrcranes.org/diesel.html |title=Cranes in NZR Service – Diesel Crane Listing |website=NZR Cranes |access-date=17 August 2017}}</ref> It was renumbered as EL 1007 on 23 July 1979.<ref name=Cranes/> It was withdrawn in 1989, and arrived at the WPR on 30 May in that year. It was repainted in 2016. |- style="background:#DED7B6;" | 305 | | Coaling | {{Convert|500|kg}} | N/A | N/A | {{dts|1925}} | N/A | Entered service for the NZR in 1925 as Crane 359.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzrcranes.org/coaling.html#359 |title=Cranes in NZR Service – Coaling Crane Listing |website=NZR Cranes |access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref> It was purchased by the WPR and restored in 1998, where it was used for coaling A 428.<ref name="Dew"/> Now currently stored awaiting an overhaul. |}

===Track inspection cars=== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#F5D26C|In service |bgcolor=#89E579|In service, Mainline Certified |bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/restoration/repair |bgcolor=#DED7B6|Stored |bgcolor=#B7A4EB|Static display |bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped |} {| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" |- ! Class ! Number ! Builder ! Builders number ! Year built ! Year arrived ! Notes |- style="background:#F5D26C;" | W^W | 5139 | [[Wickham trolley|Wickham Of Ware]] | 5164 | {{dts|1950}} | {{dts|1984}} | The ex-[[South Island]] Wickham Track Inspection Car entered service for the [[New Zealand Railways Department|NZR]] in 1950. It was withdrawn and sold to the WPR in June 1984,<ref name="Dew"/> and restored by Cooper Hendersons Motors in 1985. In 1995, the interior of the car was refurbished.<ref name="Dew"/> In 1997, it was given an overhaul of its Austin A40 petrol engine.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frog Rock Times|publisher=Weka Pass Railway Inc|date=September 1997}}</ref> But the engine was replaced by a [[Nissan A engine|Datson 120Y petrol engine]] in 2002, and also had a new [[Nissan]] [[gear-box]] fitted.<ref name="Frog Rock November 2002"/> It also received an overhaul of its axles. |}

==Gallery== <gallery class="center"> File:A 428 near Gate 2 on the Weka Pass Railway.jpg|NZR A class No. 428 approaching Gate 2 on the railway File:A 428 at Glenmark Station.jpg|A 428 at Glenmark Station. File:Dg 791 and DE 1429 (at the back) with another shuttle train for the Waipara Vintage Festival.jpg|[[New Zealand DG and DH class locomotive|D^G 791]] and [[New Zealand DE class locomotive|DE 1429]] with a shuttle train during the 2016 Waipara Vintage Festival. File:NZR A class No.428 Weka Pass Railway.png|A 428 in [[Waikari]]. File:Waipara Glenmark Railway Station 001.JPG|Glenmark Station. File:A 428 at Gate No. 1 on the Weka Pass Railway.jpg|A 428 about to pass Gate No. 1. File:A428_Waikari.jpg|A 428 awaiting departure from Waikari </gallery>

==References== {{reflist|colwidth=25em}}

{{reflist|group="n"}}

==External links== * {{Official website}}

{{NZR Heritage}}

[[Category:Rail transport in the Canterbury Region]] [[Category:Hurunui District]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in the Canterbury Region]]