Story: Railways

New Zealand’s rail network, 1880–1940

This map shows New Zealand’s rail network between 1880 and 1940. The length of the network peaked at more than 5,500 kilometres in 1953. From the late 1950s branch lines closed, and by the 2000s, there were less than 4,000 kilometres of railway lines.

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Source: Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (New Zealand), 1880–1950

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How to cite this page:

Neill Atkinson, 'Railways - Building the rail network', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/21378/new-zealands-rail-network-1880-1940 (accessed 3 May 2024)

Story by Neill Atkinson, published 11 Mar 2010, reviewed & revised 11 Mar 2016