Registration Type

Historic Place Category 1

 

Register Number

7172

 

Date Registered

21-Apr-1994

 

City/District Council

Christchurch City

 

Region

Canterbury Region

 

Summary

The Canterbury Provincial Council began considering possible routes for a rail link between the township of Christchurch and the port of Lyttelton about 1853. The idea was shelved because of the cost involved until 1858 when the superintendent, William Sefton Moorhouse (c1825-81), initiated it once again. George Robert Stevenson was consulted. He favoured a 10km line with a 2.6 km tunnel. He recommended an English firm of contractors, Smith and Knight of London, but this firm is said to have declined the contract when they discovered that it involved tunnelling through a volcano.

Edward Dobson, provincial engineer, had been responsible for the project since 1854. The provincial geologist, Julius von Haast, undertook exploration and site investigation, advising the engineers. The contract was finally let to Holmes and Co of Melbourne in 1861. Of the 240 000 pound contract price, the cost of the tunnel was estimated at 195 000 pounds. The contract allowed five years for construction. Construction of the tunnel began with a ceremony at Heathcote on 17 July 1861 at which Moorhouse cut the first sod and on 29 September 1862 a ceremonial stone was placed by Mrs Moorhouse.

Boring went ahead from both the Lyttelton and Heathcote ends. Gunpowder charges were used and blown materials was removed using horses. The tunnellers met on 28 May 1867. 5'6" gauge rails were laid and the first train went through in mid November 1867. Passenger services began in December though workers continued drainage and widening by night. The tunnel remained in the contractors hands until August 1868 and it took another four years to finish lining the tunnel. From 1863 a temporary railway line had operated between Christchurch and Ferrymeade wharf.

Between April 1876 and December 1877, the 5'6" gauge rails were replaced with 3'6" gauge. Since this time the tunnel has seen no major modifications. The instalment of heavier rails, improved signalling, electrification (1925-28) and dieselisation (c1970) reflect technological progress. With dieselisation, the electric locomotives and substations were phased out.

 

Historical Significance

The Moorhouse Railway Tunnel has historical significance as a result of its contribution to the commercial development of Canterbury through transport. It linked the pastoral plains with the provincial port within the first 20 years of Canterbury settlement and in doing so allowed produce to be exported. While the initiative for building the tunnel was provincial, the Christchurch-Lyttelton railway line has been described as the first important railway in the country (JD Mahoney). The line predates New Zealand's great railway expansion of the 1870s under Julius Vogel. The tunnel is arguably the single most important structure on the line other than the line itself.

The tunnel has additional significance in that it was conceived and projected by WS Moorhouse, Canterbury's provincial superintendent, and associated with Edward Dobson, Julius von Haast and Edward Richardson. Today it is maintained by New Zealand Rail Ltd. It is still in use and is essential to the owners operation.

 

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY:

Moorhouse Railway Tunnel is a very rare structure in that it was constructed through the flank or wall of an extinct volcano. It has been suggested that it was the first tunnel in the world to do so and this technological development is of very great significance. Within its colonial climate, the Moorhouse Railway Tunnel was an ambitious piece of engineering. It has been described as the first major engineering work in New Zealand (GGT) and a remarkable engineering feat.



TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE:

The tunnel ends are enhanced by the landscape setting but the tunnel itself is largely concealed within the volcano and is not a prominent landmark. It relates to the Heathcote and Lyttelton signal boxes sited at either end of the tunnel.

 

Associated Registrations

• Lyttelton Township Historic Area

 

Former Use

• Transport - Tunnel

Themes

• Places to Visit

 

Construction Professionals

• Dobson, Edward - Engineer
• Richardson, Edward - Engineer

 

Notable Features

Route through the flank of an extinct volcano

 

Construction Dates

• Original Construction: 1861 (circa)
• Modification: 1876 (circa) - 1877 (circa)
• Other: 1925 (circa) - 1928 (circa)
• Other: 1970

 

Construction Details

Random rubble stone construction fixed with cement and with an ashlar springer.

 

Information Sources

• Institute of Professional Engineers in NZ,Engineering to 1990, Engineering Publications Co Ltd, Wellington, 1990
• Archives New Zealand (Christchurch),Records of the Canterbury Provincial Council including the Public Works Department and the Railway Department
• Dictionary of New Zealand Biography,Oliver, WH (ed), Vol I, 1769-1869, Allen & Unwin, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 1990 Orange, Claudia, Vol II,1870-1900, Bridget Williams Books, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 1993 Scholefield, GH (ed), Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 1940
• University of Canterbury,School of Engineering -plans -Dobson, Edward, CE, Public Works in the Province of Canterbury, Institution of Civil Engineers, London, 1870

 

Links

• www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/itemdetail.cfm?itemid=121

 

Other Information

A fully referenced Registration Report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office.