Dunedin Railway Station, complete with a piper playing the bagpipes outside

Inside the station - Victorian architecture at it's finest

One of the coaches, all had outside viewing platforms, as I was in the last coach had a great view of where we has been whilst climbing the valley, then a marvelous view of the backside of a diesel engine!

One of the halts on the way up

Wingatu viaduct

One of the many other smaller viaducts

Toot toot, all aboard the Taieri Gorge railway - 3rd July 2010

Beautiful sunshine but very chilly. Spent most of the upward trip standing on the viewing platform so missed the ongoing commentary. Railway runs from Dunedin to Pukerangi, some 58 kms, all of which is an uphill gradient. Built 1879 to 1891, to open up the routes for the upland farms. I understand that the railway was a great success from the farms until the road network improved. By April 1990 the Minister for Railways (any relation to Dr Beeching I wonder?) announced it's closure despite the excursion trains being a popular feature.

A great day out looking at the river, gorge and rock formations. Did not get much time at Pukangeri, just to let the engine do a run round. We did allow a train to pass us on their way up to the end of the track for a Christmas dinner, with presents, tree etc.

More fun in the hostel in the evening with Dexter and Jane serving up cookies Asian style - yummy.