Rimutaka Incline

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Rimutaka Incline
The long slow climb up the centre rail
Overview
Status	Closed
Owner	New Zealand Railways Department
Locale	Wellington, New Zealand
Termini	Cross Creek Summit
Stations	2
Service
System	New Zealand Government Railways (NZGR)
Operator(s)	New Zealand Railways Department
Rolling stock	NZR H class (primary motive power)
History
Opened	1878-10-16
Closed	1955-10-30
Technical
Line length	3 mi (4.8 km)
Track length	3 mi (4.8 km)
Number of tracks	Single
Character	Rural
Rack system	Fell (not a rack system)
Track gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Highest elevation	1,141 feet (348 m)
Maximum incline	6.667%
Route map Legend elevation to Wellington Summit 1,141 ft (348 m) Summit Tunnel Centre rail limit Siberia Tunnel Siberia Curve Price's Tunnel Centre rail limit Cross Creek 272 ft (83 m) Cross Creek locomotive depot to Featherston This diagram: view talk edit

Map

The Rimutaka Incline was a 3-mile-long (4.8 km), 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge railway line on an average grade of 1-in-15 using the Fell system between Summit and Cross Creek stations on the Wairarapa side of the original Wairarapa Line in the Wairarapa district of New Zealand. The term "Rimutaka Incline" is sometimes used incorrectly to refer to other parts or all of the closed and deviated section of the Wairarapa Line between Upper Hutt and Speedy's Crossing, near Featherston. The incline formation is now part of the Remutaka Rail Trail.