ALBUM -The Miners Train - Greymouth to Rewanui.

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DescriptionMore than 130 mines have operated in the Greymouth area ,many as co-operatives. In 1901, the newly formed State Coal Mines acquired leases for mining at Rewanui. The Point Elizabeth State Coal Mine opened at Dunollie in 1902. In the early 1980s, the Liverpool No. 3 Mine at Rewanui was becoming an increasingly uneconomic mine to run. The line came to an abrupt end when the decision was taken to close the mine in 1984. That year, in October, the line was ruled unfit for passenger service, and all scheduled services – both passenger and freight – were cancelled on 5th. November 1984. Occasional freight services continued to operate until May 1985, when the last train departed Rewanui with a load of coal from a nearby private mine. The line was formally closed on 19 August 1985 from the junction with the Rapahoe Branch, which absorbed the six kilometres to Greymouth and remains in use. Trains run when required to Rapahoe.Map^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)RewanuiOrganisation (eg business)The Miners TrainEventThe Miners Train - Greymouth to Rewanui.

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Category TagRailwaysCoal Mining

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Date Created14th March 2022CommentsMark Thomson
Tinged with a touch of sadness at the recent passing of Ian Coates Snr. Former driver on the Rewanui Line, amongst others

Brendon Lee Meagher
We're was the dunollie station ??
Brendon Lee Meagher
And did the trail go through hall Jones st
Reply16h
Nina Townsend
Brendon Lee Meagher no went up the top of ward st come out near the pub. Bridge went over top of heard st dunollie station was oppisite the hotel. The old track us called the cutting

Brendon Lee Meagher
Nina Townsend o were u kan walk frm vaness st through 2 bottom of balance st I new it went through balance st

David Stuart
Had a few struggles up that gradient when wet or frosty rail, needed plenty of sand some nights, when picking up back shift miners.

Trish Rennie
One of our playgrounds as children.
Kevin McKenzie
Had many a trip on the miners train.
VW Yarrum
Last load of coal trained down, probably would of then been from Patterson & Party, sourced from standing pillars left in Spark & Party.

Grant Jamieson
Yes Zero, seen us headn to Rewanui some frosty mornings and the train slipin n sliding almost at Rewanui but not making it, so we would get out and walk, run back down to Dunollie? Train had to deliver you to Rewanui

Vern Pattinson
Grant Jamieson great days

Richard Butcher
I drove engines up and down there for many years and never stalled once.
Pam Murphy
I remember Stephen Harris
You had to be on it to get off Jemmo
Grant Jamieson
Stephen Harris haha yea Harry, think I was pretty good in those days, Rewanui, missed a cple at Strongman we had a good wee team up Rewanui

Linzi Woods
Wow some great pics in this album - see nodes veiw.

Alan Smith
I remember those days I used to race up and down on my nzr jigger

Grant Jamieson
Alan Smith yea Smithy, always remember coming down on the wee flat deck on Saturdays, with the wooden bats made at the workshops for brake sticks, Hardcastle, health n safety ?

Alan Smith
Grant Jamieson

Brent David
Alan Smith hair blowing in the breeze…. Ahh, those were the days

Garry Chapman
Came down incline in the fowl (brake van ) with Dad who was a guard .My brother & I
had many trips in the guards van during holidays traveling the Railway circuit...Great times

Michael Delury
I have fond memories of Rewanui working for the railways
Friday the guys would ask me to tow a flat top up the hill for them so they could ride it down after there Saturday shift

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