CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — While Christchurch is today a popular city for tourists traveling on New Zealand’s passenger trains, the city holds a unique role in the country’s railroad history.
New Zealand’s first public railway, a 5-foot, 3-inch broad-gauge railway line between the city and the harbor at Ferrymead, opened on Dec. 1, 1863. The Canterbury Provincial Council built Christchurch’s first railway station for the railroad.
A contract for constructing a new station was given to James Tait for a price of £7,072.
Provincial Superintendent William Rolleston laid the foundation stone on November 22, 1876, marking the commencement of work. It was one of his last official duties, just a week before the provincial government was abolished.
The station on Moorhouse Avenue opened without ceremony on December 21, 1877.
The station stood until 1960, when a new one opened adjacent. It stood until 1993, when the current Christchurch station opened in Addington, across from the rail works, where many of the country’s railroad’s early locomotives were built.
KiwiRail’s TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific trains serve Christchurch.
Christchurch also has a heritage tram system that opened in 1995 and operates a 1.6-mile loop around the central city. Electric trams previously operated in the city from 1905 to 1954.