Journey to the Pass: Memories of the Midland Line

By Stephen and Matt Wright

This book is out of stock and is unlikely to be reprinted.

Recognised today as one of the world's outstanding rail journeys, the Midland Line has a history and geography unlike any other. Conceived as far back as the 1860s, the line forged a path through the South Island's great mountainous divide a hard-won achievement that saw the passage of two generations.

The line enjoyed a golden era from the 1920s until the 1960s, after which there was a gradual decline, followed by an extended period of uncertainty as to the line's future.

This book brings to life the memories of eight people who experienced the Midland Line first-hand either in work, travel or in day-to-day living. They are: the late Tom Ferguson, Archie Brown, Ruth Naughton, Doreen Dudley, Jimmy Dillon, Bid Elson, Malcolm Innes and Don Keen.

These memories mostly relate to the Springfield to Otira section of the line, from the 1920s onwards. To supplement this, there is a detailed overview of the line's history, together with a 53-page photo gallery covering the railway's construction period and later years. In addition, several ballads have been included to add extra flavour.

Sample pages Additional information Corrections

A4 portrait format, soft-cover
212 pages
First published 2009

This is the full list of corrections relating to the original 1st edition released in February 2009. As reprints were done during 2009, known errors were progressively corrected until the release of the 2nd edition in January 2010. The only subsequent correction made is for page 136.

title page and page 191: Jimmy Dillon: driver and Aussie McQueen: fireman (on Kb 966).

page 15: The abolition of provincial government was in 1876.

page 15: The line opened to Jacksons in March 1894.

page 30: The photo of J 1232 and Eo locomotives was taken at Otira, not Arthur's Pass.

page 31: The engine crews transferred to Christchurch in 1987, but the engine depot had already closed in the late 1960s (see page 112).

page 33: In July 2008, Toll Holdings sold its rail and ferry operations to the Government.

page 53: This photo was taken at Greyneys Flat with the Bealey River on left.

page 57: The Mount Torlesse Collieries Ltd began operations in April 1916, reaching the production stage in May 1918.

page 59: Alf and Nellie Johns had three daughters.

page 84: Lower photo: This was also taken at Otira.

pages 88-89: As from late 1955, it was a minimum of seven years before a fireman could qualify for his driver's ticket, but Jimmy Dillon waited until he had had eight years. In 1955, Jimmy moved to Christchurch to gain experience firing on mainline expresses and lived with his mother in Frankleigh Street, later Barry Street. It was around 1957 when he was fireman to Dick Quinny for a few weeks.

page 93: Ten Vulcan railcars were ordered but one was lost at sea.

page 136: Upper photo: The engine on the bridge is at the west end of Tunnel No. 3, not No. 9 as previously believed. This was verified on site in November 2010. The location of Blakiston's and the block-making operations referred to in the first printing of the book has been verified as between Tunnels No. 9 and 10, closer to No. 10.

page 154-155: The coaches were travelling towards Arthur's Pass in the same direction as the coaches on page 153.

page 172: It was School Terrace, not Sunshine Terrace. Bill Elson made one trip daily to Otira.

page 182: The second lady from left is Judith Topp (nee Bowler), not Elva Glassey.

page 183: (last paragraph) Bill Elson was the clerk in the IP Way office.

page 186: The order of names from Murray Craig (station clerk) to Sammy Manaton inclusive (six houses) is Sammy Manaton at the station end (first on the list) and Murray Craig sixth on the list.

page 187: Sid Smylie and Cliff White were guards at Springfield before Jack Grant.