An engineering marvel: Lyttelton Railway Tunnel turns 150Press Archives Lyttelton Rail Tunnel, seen here in the old Illustrated Press, opened in 1867 to join Christchurch and the port. Press Archives Then Timaru mayoress Mrs Cain turns the first sod at Heathcote in July 1861 as work was carried out on the railway tunnel. The Press Heathcote Valley rail station, signal box and the rail tunnel to Lyttelton, January 1981. Lyttelton railway tunnel is just as important today as it was 150 years ago, with over a million tonnes of coal being freighted through every year. The tunnel was crucial for Christchurch and the success of the Lyttelton port, carrying both goods and passengers between the two.

Source: Stuff December 08, 2017 15:56 UTC