The Train
After more than two decades of surveys, engineering challenges and sheer hard work, the main trunk's first through train left Wellington on 7 August 1908 to travel to Auckland. This 'Parliament Special' carried Members of Parliament to Auckland to meet the United States Navy's visiting 'Great White Fleet'. It needed 20½ hours to make the trip. In the middle section it travelled over a temporary track that the Public Works Department had rushed through in just the nick of time.
Members of Parliament travelling by rail received free gold medallion railway passes. Dangled from their watch-chains or hung around their necks on a chain, these passes were symbolic and instantly recognisable badges of office.
Rail travel in the North Island remained difficult before the completion of the main trunk in 1908. The Government offered the engineer in charge £1000 to finish it in time for the parliamentary party to travel to Auckland by rail in August 1908 to greet the American 'Great White Fleet', which was on a world tour. The Public Works Department laboured desperately, taking many shortcuts, and joined the lines from north and south just in time.
Regards
Sean
