Rail trail walk plans unveiled

bevans · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 1:35 pm

20 May2004

Hamilton Spectator

By JAN LEISHMAN

THE proposed 35-kilometre Hamilton-Coleraine Rail Reserve walking track was unveiled on Tuesday and a Friends group launched in support.

It was the first public event organised by the Committee of Management and more than 60 people from across the district attended.

The interest was so great that a larger bus had to be brought in to take participants on a two-hour trip to various locations along the rail trail to show them what was involved with the project.

A slide presentation of the trail by Dr Rod Bird took in the 12 different 'units' into which the trail has been divided. The various sections of the trail were addressed in relation to status and condition of flora as well as works required on each section.

The trail will start at Dunn St, in Hamilton, and conclude at the historic Coleraine Railway Station. The walking track will include the sidings and station grounds at Bochara, Wannon and Parkwood as well as the wooden trestle bridge at Wannon.

The original railway line was started in 1887 and opened in November the following year. Two trains ran daily from Hamilton, taking one hour and 20 minutes for the trip.

In the early years, the Wannon Falls became a favourite picnic destination for Hamilton residents on weekends.

Bridges, cuttings

Features of the line include 15 bridges and several massive embankments and cuttings Ñ around 26,000 cubic yards excavated west of the Wannon and 30,000 cubic yards west of Parkwood. At the time, the contractor, Bloomfield, was reported to have "gained more experience than profit" from the work.

The rail line was closed by the Public Transport Corporation in September 1977, but continued to administer the line until 1999 when it was classified as crown land.

In 2000 the Hamilton-Coleraine section of the rail line was gazetted as a reserve for conservation and recreation purposes and the Committee of Management appointed, chaired by Alex Baulch with Coralia Coulson secretary.

Mrs Coulson said that since the committee was appointed, a draft environmental audit and strategic work plan had been developed, which would be launched later in the year.

The draft plan is expected to detail the current status and condition of the trail's physical assets and prioritise work to be undertaken over the next two years.

She said is was anticipated that the line would be developed in stages and she hoped that the first public walk could be held along part of the line in spring this year.

RP2 - Project Director

"Victoria, the home of world class project blowouts and overruns" Mr. Bachelor, hang your head in Shame!

The Met · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 5:03 pm

its nice to have a path that uses the tracks then leave it forgotten under some housing development

"People are pretty much alike. It's only that our differences are more susceptible to definition than our similarities." - Linda Ellerbee

Railfan9949 · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 6:22 pm

T411 · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 6:56 pm

And also leaving open the possibility of the lines being reopened should there ever be the traffic to justify it Smile

"Its not an offence to drive like a prat, half of London does"

WPC Martella, The Bill, circa 1989

mjja · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:33 pm

Is it Coleraine or Casterton where the old station building is now a tourist shop?

Happy Gunzelling and remember, "Go by rail!"

Michael Angelico
President, Smart Passengers Inc
(My opinions are my own unless specifically stated.)

jemo27 · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:44 pm

is it possible now to walk the line or even cycle near it since it is crown land and has there been any work done on the trail

thelastname · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:52 pm

NathanCastle · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:58 pm