Profile
With the rise of newer and heavier locomotives and consequent increase in tonnage of goods transportation, the gradient to reach the Waitakere Tunnel was proving to be a hindrance as early as the 1920s. Trains leaving Swanson would drop down to the old timber-piled bridge and then had to climb steeply to reach the tunnel. but stopped due to the war. Another 40 years passed before the climb from the Swanson Stream bridge to the Waitakere Tunnel was eliminated from 3 October 1981.
Work on the grade easement scheme began in the mid-1930s as a relief labour scheme. There are large gaps in the historic account but the historic aerial images tell some of the story:
– In 1940 you can see straightening and regrading work to the line northwest of Scenic Drive. The existing line is at grade (level crossing) with Scenic Drive and the current rail overbridge is yet to be built. Earthworks and perhaps quarrying can also be seensouth of Scenic Drive in the current location of the long bend between Tram Valley Road and Scenic Drive. The line in 1940 traverses much closer to Scenic Drive than currently with a bridge over Swanson Stream.
– In 1955 cloud obscures the line northwest of Scenic Drive but the line southeast of Scenic Drive is still in the old location as work stopped during the war. The possible workers huts opposite Knox Road are gone.
– In 1961 there is no cloud and you can see the abuttments for the Scenic Drive overbridge appear to be there but the bridge is not confirming construction was halted part way through. Evidence of earthworks can be seen opposite Knox Road.
– In 1972 (April) the signal tower and one of the railway houses has been removed. The other 4 houses remain.
– In 1975 and 1979 the footbridge and 3 of the railway houses are still there but the goods shed and station building have been removed
– In 1980 work has restarted on the realignment of the line to the west of the station, 40 years after it was originally started. The Scenic Drive overbridge abuttments aren’t visible – perhaps they were demolished and rebuilt? One railway house and the footbridge still remain.
– In 1988 the footbridge and last railway house have been removed. The track realignment and Scenic Drive overbridge are complete and the old line has been removed.
Apart from removing the level crossing over the Scenic Drive and the old bridge over Swanson Stream, the deviation allowed heavier northbound trains to be hauled between Mount Eden and Helensville. Easier curves on the new line enabled trains to run somewhat faster than before.
For more information on the railway line see:
