ONTRACK and partners are celebrating the centenary of the North Island Main Trunk during 2008 – 2009.
The North Island Main Trunk line was New Zealand’s most important transport link for many years and has a significant place in New Zealand’s history. Completing the line was an engineering achievement of historical importance.
Centenary celebrations include:
- Re-enactment of the Parliamentary Special – the first passenger train to travel the over the entire line. Wellington to Auckland, 6-8 August 2008
All Aboard celebration of rail festival. Feilding, 23-27 October 2008 (www.allaboard.org.nz)
- Last Spike celebration – to commemorate the official completion of the line when the then Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward drove the last spike. Maunganui-o-te-ao (Pokaka), 15 November 2008
- Commemoration of the first commercial passenger service on 15 February 2009
Communities along the North Island Main Trunk will also be organising celebrations during the year. Contact your local council for more information.
School CompetitionONTRACK would like to thank those who entered the Secondary School Essay Competition. Three winners were invited to be a passenger of the Parliamentary Special train on 6-8 August 2008 and will receive the NZ Post NIMT centenary stamp collection. Also the overall winner received $200 cash and their essay will appear in the next ONTRACK In The Loop newsletter.
CONTACT the Project team
Phone +64-4-4959060
Fax +64-4-4959045
Email NIMT_project@ontrack.govt.nz