HISTORY:

By the early 1900's it was obvious that the volcanic springs in the Domain and at Western Springs would be inadequate to supply water to the growing city.

In a search for a suitable place for a dam, the Auckland City Council chose a site on the Waitakere Stream because of its high rainfall, and its height above sea level enabling gravity feed back to Auckland.

A 2ft 6in. Gauge tramway was built to the dam site from Swanson Station on the N.Z.R. North Line. All the materials for the dam and the cast-iron pipe sections were horse-drawn along this Tramline.

The entire project took five years to complete, including the tramline which opened in 1907, followed by the dam which opened in 1910. Prior to this, a wooden dam was constructed above the site of the concrete dam.

The lower portion of the line from Swanson up past the Filter Station was lifted around 1927. Christian road more or less follows the old formation.

The upper portion, about 2.4km has been retained for pipeline maintenance, and about twenty years ago was narrowed to the present gauge of 2ft. (610mm)

THE LINE TODAY

The Tramline begins from the end of the short private road above the Filter Station. It immediately enters George's Tunnel, to cut under the saddle carrying the Scenic Drive. At the far end of the 0.7km long tunnel is an interesting glowworm display. The line then crosses two bridges as it winds its way through a bush setting to Picnic Flats... there used to be a caretaker's cottage here, where the dam construction camp was.

The track continues through the bush to a short tunnel, then rounds a curve with a magnificent view of the 350ft (107m) Waitakere Falls - spectacular if the dam is overflowing but dry otherwise. The line passes under a wooden chute that carries Kelly's Stream over the train before a climb up to the end of the line.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The Waitakere Filter Station gets it's power from a turbine in the pipeline
• There are 3 tramlines in the Waitakere Ranges:
• Waitakere Tramline - 2.5km
• Nihotupu Tramline - 6.5km (the Rain Forest Express runs here)
• Huia Tramline - 400m long and is not open to the public
• Water from the Waitakere dam is gravity fed to Auckland
• During construction, rock was quarried from above the western end of George's tunnell. This aggregate was then mixed with concrete and sand then poured to form the dam.
• The Waitakere tramline basically followed what is now Christian Road down to Swanson Station

THE WAITAKERE TRAMLINE SOCIETY Inc.

We are a small group of enthusiasts from all walks of life, dedicated to operation on the Waitakere Line, and all of us have rail-based interests.

THE TRAIN

The locomotive was built in 1976 and was rebuilt in 1985, and again in 2000 using a 16hp Kubota diesel and variable hydraulic drive.

Most of the carriages were built in 1978, and were rebuilt in the 90's to increase their riding and seating qualities. All work is carried out by Society Members, and we are also responsible for the maintenance of the tramline itself, and of Picnic Flats.