The First Railway Timetable in New Zealand.

The first timetable for a railway in New Zealand was issued by Messrs. Geo. Holmes and Co., the lessees of the Christchurch to Ferrymead Railway. This railway was opened for public traffic on 1st December, 1863. On the opening day trains were run at frequent intervals, giving free trips to the populace. The regular service began on 2nd December, 1863, the timetable being as follows:—

Although shown in the timetable as Heathcote, the trains ran from and to the station at Ferrymead, on the Heathcote River. The existing station at Heathcote Valley was not opened until the traffic was diverted to Lyttelton. Trains stopped at the intermediate stations, Opawa and Hillsborough, when required.

The timetable was amended on and after 13th December, 1863, by running an additional train, leaving Heathcote at 4.30 p.m. and returning from Christchurch at 5.7 p.m., and by delaying the 5.30 p.m. from Heathcote and 6.0 p.m. from Christ-church to 6.30 p.m. and 7.0 p.m. respectively. The alteration gave facilities for residents along the line, chiefly at Opawa, to make use of the train for travelling to and from their business in the city, and was the foundation of suburban passenger traffic.

In addition to the week-day service, trains were run on Sundays as below:—

On Sundays, also, Milne and Co. ran coaches between Ferrymead and Sumner, connecting with the 10.0 a.m. and 2.0 p.m. trains from Christchurch, taking passengers to and from the seaside.

The fares charged by Messrs. Holmes and Co., between Christchurch and Heathcote, were:—

The lessees also offered a through rate for wool of 10/- per bale from Christchurch to Lyttelton via Ferrymead Wharf. This rate included marking, weighing and delivering in port. Free storage was given for one month if required.

The by-laws and rules and regulations provided that trains were permitted to run at a speed of 35 miles per hour. In mixed trains the trucks were run behind the carriages in order to reduce the chances of shocks to passengers when the trains were starting and stopping. The carriages had spring buffers and screw couplings which enabled the vehicles to be closely coupled. The couplings of the goods trucks were the ordinary hook and link which allowed considerable slack between the vehicles, and the earlier trucks had solid buffers or deadwoods.