Lyttelton Railway Station

Story

Lyttelton railway station is the northern terminus of the Main South Line, a main trunk railway line from Lyttelton to Invercargill in the South Island of New Zealand. There have been three stations built at Lyttelton, with the most recent of these still being used for railway purposes.Both freight and passenger services have featured at Lyttelton since it opened in 1867. With the cessation of suburban passenger trains to Lyttelton in the 1970s, freight became the mainstay of the railways’ business at Lyttelton and today passenger traffic from Lyttelton plays only a minor role. Tranz Scenic have run a limited tourist service from the station in recent years during the summer season though patronage of these trains is limited to cruise ship passengers. Proposals have been made to reinstate a commuter rail service from Lyttelton, however this is not considered to be a realistic possibility for the foreseeable future. Operations at Lyttelton have included all three forms of motive power, with steam being dominant until the late 1960s when diesel began to take over, and electric power from 1929 to 1970. All trains at Lyttelton are now diesel-hauled.Public transport connections at Lyttelton include Metro bus routes 28 and 35 (for which the nearest bus stop is a short distance down Norwich Quay from the station), and the Diamond Harbour ferry (which departs from a jetty opposite the station). The Steamer Express inter-island ferries formerly connected with passenger trains at Lyttelton on wharf no. 2 (opposite the station) until they were discontinued in 1976. Other nearby amenities include Lyttelton Main School, a medical clinic, several hotels, and the Lyttelton central business district.