First Christchurch railway station was built by Canterbury Provincial Council for its broad gauge line between the city and Ferrymead wharf. It opened 1 December 1863. Located at Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. Following the change to narrow gauge rail lines, a second station was constructed and opened on 21 December 1877. Designed by Canterbury railways engineer J.G Warner in Victorian Neo Gothic style with wood and red brick materials. Demolished in 1959. A replacement station was designed by W.Gray Young in 1938, but construction was delayed by World War Two. A modified design of the station was opened on 1 November 1960. Declining passenger numbers and changes in goods traffic contributed to the closure of the station on 25 May 1990, and the sale of the building. Damage occured in the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes leading to its demolition in 2012.
Christchurch Railway Station
Photographer unknown :Photographs of the Royal Tour 1927
Date: 1927
Reference: PA-Group-00431
Description: Views of the 1927 Royal Tour of New Zealand by the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Includes displays viewed and events attended by the royal couple, as well as travelling between towns by car and train. Places visited include: the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Wigram airport, Canterbury University, the view over Lyall Bay from Truby King's house, Dunedin war memorial and the war memorial at Waitaki Boys' High School, Government House in Wellington. Photographer unidentified. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Arrangement: Negatives housed at 1/4-048049 to 048258, 049253 to 049455, 1/2-175202 to 175220 Quantity: 386 b&w original negative(s) glass. 27 b&w original negative(s) film. Physical Description: Glass and film ¼ plate negatives Processing information: Archivists notes - Originally arranged and described in 2002. Reference number changed from PAColl-6909 to PA-Group-00431 in 2009.
Haynes, W (Mrs), fl 1955 :Photograph album of photographs taken by C Edwards
Date: [1895-1899]
By: Edwards, Charles Thomas, active 1890s
Reference: PA1-f-020
Description: Photograph album containing photographs of South Island scenes, taken ca 1897 by C T Edwards. Album includes views of Melbourne and Sydney; a large number in the Lyttelton and Christchurch areas; as well as photographs in the Waikato region. There are a number of photographs of postcards created by Edwards, using various scenes, most of which are included in this album. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Grey album with black spine and corners, entitled Photographs. C.T. Edwards, 32 x 45 cm
Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :"Well, bye-bye darling. I'll drop down very soon." 1955
Date: 1955
From: Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :490 original cartoons published in the Christchurch Star Sun and the Christchurch Star Sun Sports between 1954 and 1962.
Reference: A-386-012
Description: Shows a husband farewelling his wife at Christchurch Railway Station. She is on a train leaving for Timaru. The husband has accidentally stepped backwards off the platform and is about to fall backwards or 'drop down' Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - Tom Mayne [in ink]; Recto - beneath image - From Tom Mayne, 901 Ferry Rd. 17th Jan 1955 [in blue coloured pencil] Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and wash and white corrector on paper, 290 x 230 mm
Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :"Gad sir! What architecture! A mixture of Gothic, Gre...
Date: 1955
From: Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :490 original cartoons published in the Christchurch Star Sun and the Christchurch Star Sun Sports between 1954 and 1962.
Reference: A-386-028
Description: Shows an overseas traveller pointing towards the Christchurch Railway Station and admiring the architecture. The building was demolished in 1959 to make way for a new railway station The words 'No. 106 "Railway Station" cartoons, 18th July 55' are written in blue coloured pencil on the back of the cartoon Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and crayon on card, 258 x 280 mm
Photograph of Christchurch Railway Station
Date: [ca 1960]
From: New Zealand Railways: Photographs
Reference: PAColl-9687
Description: Photograph of Christchurch Railway Station at night, taken ca 1960 by an unidentified photographer for New Zealand Government Railways Publicity Branch Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print
Photographer unknown: Views of Christchurch and the Canterbury area
Date: [ca 1895-1915]
Reference: PAColl-6904
Description: A large collection of miscellaneous original and copy negatives mostly of Christchurch and the surrounding area. Some are studio portraits of family groups. The rest of the collection includes: a street scene in front of the old railway station; a cycling race; men rowing and canoeing; children playing in a swing park; a brass band playing on board a steamer; various beach scenes including donkey rides; train pulling into Kaiapoi station; a small bach; two girls next to a waterfall; trams and a cyclist going past the Jubliee Clock Tower; the front facade of St Paul's Presbyterian Church; three views of the old Public Hospital next to Hagley Park; the Chamber of Commerce building on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Street; a copy negative of a carte de visite of a couple kissing; a monument incorporating a tiki on a tall pole and other maori carvings (location unknown); a man at the doorway of his shed with an array of gardening implements; two men pulling a covering back from a hangi pit; the cathedral with a number of trams in front; a tram advertising Ballantynes; a kitchen interior showing a range with kettles on top and a cupboard and dresser with crockery; six Maori on horseback possibly in a procession; a porter bringing a cart of luggage up to a train; five men giving friends piggy backs on the beach; sheep being driven past stock yards; the Avon River; a crowd outside the Avon Rowing Club; Wilson the maltman's horse and cart crossing a bridge; and two images of a harvest festival in a hall with a painted back drop and sheaves of corn arranged in front of it. Photographer unidentified. Arrangement: Negatives housed at 1/4-045133 to 045196 and 045802 to 045816 Quantity: 76 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass ¼ plate negatives Processing information: These were originally part of a sequence of unidentified negatives. They were assumed to form a collection due to the similarity in date and location. At the time of entry 1/4-045190 was missing.
[Miscellaneous ephemera collected by Sir Walter Nash. 1920-1960s]
Date: 1920 - 1968
Reference: Eph-A-PEOPLE-Nash
Description: Includes two copies of a business card for Walter Nash, as a representative in Wellington, of British Novelty Works Co., E Turvey Model Aeroplanes, and Dean's Rag Book Co. Ltd [1920s-1930s?] Includes a handwritten illuminated card presented by the National Federation of Meat Traders Association, at the Connaught Rooms in London, June 1946. Includes examples of Christmas cards sent by Walter Nash in the late 1950-early 1960s. Includes a New Year greeting card from Robert Solway to Mrs Nash, dated 24 July 1943. It contains a poem, "Liverpool Cathedral" by Robert Solway. Also includes a certificate showing he had crossed the equator on the "Warana" aeroplane on 24 February 1947 (although the illustration shows the plane labelled "Warana" but with the number VH-ANA - in fact the official number of the aeroplane "Anana"). The plane's passenger list is also included Includes programmes and tickets for the Tauranga Harbour Board's opening ceremony for the Mount Maunganui Wharf. 3 December 1955 (2 copies of programme) Includes two programmes for Correspondence School break-ups, one dated 1955 with speech notes on a slip of paper inside Includes invitations, airline tickets 1962, a programme for the opening of the Christchurch Railway Station 19 November 1957 Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Offset prints sizes varying up to 240 mm.
Creator of Collection Unknown : Photographs of locomotives
Date: ca 1880s
Reference: PAColl-7477
Description: Photographs of the following locomotives: D Class, E Class (including double Fairlie engines at Wanganui and Wellington), J Class, K Class, L Class, S Class, S & D Class, V Class, W Class, mostly with staff at railway stations, including Christchurch, Wanganui and the engine sheds at Pipitea. The two which are not at stations are of sheep being transported on the Ladle Bend on the Wairarapa line and another on the curve near the summit of the Rimutaka Incline. Also included is a train with passengers and timber at the Rimutaka summit with the railway houses behind it. Photographer unidentified. Arrangement: Negatives at 1/2-004656 to 004673 Quantity: 18 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negatives Processing information: The file prints describe the images as copy negatives from album prints with numbers in the range 3321 to 3349. These numbers may refer to original numbering in an album held by the Library.
New Zealand view album 2
Date: [Circa 1883]
Reference: PA1-q-170
Description: Scenic views, chiefly in new Zealand, with few captions. Some images have been identified, noted in pencil. Of particular interest is a pair forming a panorama of Lyttelton harbour with about 30 vessels (p. 18-19). The first few pages show views of Cape Town, South Africa, and at the end of the album a few of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On page 9 there is a hand-illustrated and lettered programme of a shipboard performance held on the S.S. British King, December 11, 1883. Entitled `Royal Incomar Theatre. Bombastes Furioso'. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark red-brown cover, darker leather corners and spine, spine decorated in gold with title `Scrap book'; 30 x 38 cm
Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :NZ man makes clouds disappear. [1950s-1960s]
Date: 1950 - 1969
From: Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :490 original cartoons published in the Christchurch Star Sun and the Christchurch Star Sun Sports between 1954 and 1962.
Reference: A-387-023
Description: Text reads 'NZ born Dr Rolf Alexander demonstrated his theory of mind over matter before 50 people in Ontario, when he made a small cloud disappear by concentrating and 'wishing hard.' (From a news item in Saturday's 'Star-Sun Sports'.)' In the first of two illustrations, a man is standing at a racetrack saying 'My nags won't win so I'm concentrating on those clouds disappearing.' In the second, the Mayor of Christchurch Robert Macfarlane is gesturing towards the Christchurch Railway Station and saying, 'Now citizens let's all wish hard together.' Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on card, 230 x 265 mm
Part 2 of a 2 part panorama showing cars and soldiers outside the Christchurch Railway ...
Date: ca 1918
From: The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives
Reference: 1/1-011936-G
Description: Part 2 of a 2 part panorama showing cars, and groups, outside the Christchurch Railway Station. Shows World War 1 soldiers (being collected?/delivered?). 'Press' newspaper photograph. Photographer unidentified. Joins with 1/1-011937 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative Processing information: The collection description was updated in November 2020 with information regarding commercial use of the photographs.
Platform at Christchurch Railway Station
Date: ca 1910
Reference: 1/2-038597-F
Description: Scene on a platform at the Christchurch Railway Station, circa 1910. Amongst the unidentified, stand three women, alongside a train, wearing full length dresses/skirts and hats. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 16.5 x 22 cm
Part 1 of a 2 part panorama showing cars and soldiers outside the Christchurch Railway ...
Date: ca 1918
From: The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives
Reference: 1/1-011937-G
Description: Part 1 of a 2 part panorama showing cars, outside the Christchurch Railway Station. Shows World War 1 soldiers (being collected?/delivered?). 'Press' newspaper photograph. Photographer unidentified. Joins with 1/1-011936 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative Processing information: The collection description was updated in November 2020 with information regarding commercial use of the photographs.
Dunedin Express train leaving Christchurch Railway Station
Date: ca 17 May 1940
From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives
Reference: PAColl-7171-49
Description: The Dunedin Express train leaving Christchurch Railway Station (at Wilsons Road crossing?), circa 17 May 1940. Shows railway signals in the foreground. Looks over railway tracks, towards power poles and a steam locomotive. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 15.4 x 20.2 cm Processing information: Formerly filed in Turnbull Library Pictures at 71. Christchurch. Railway Station
Railway station, Christchurch, with welcome gate and flags flying for Royal Tour of the...
Date: 1927
From: Head, Samuel Heath, 1868-1948 :Negatives
Reference: 1/1-011155-G
Description: Photograph taken by Samuel Heath Head, Christchurch. Source of descriptive information - Negative register. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative, 6.5 x 8.5 inches
Cars and soldiers outside the Christchurch Railway Station
Date: [ca 1918]
From: The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives
Reference: 1/1-008388-G
Description: Cars, and groups of soldiers and civilians, outside the Christchurch Railway Station. Shows returned World War I servicemen being collected, ready for a parade through the streets of Christchurch. Taken by an unidentified photographer for the Press, circa 1918. Other - Note on back of file print reads: "Reception for invalided troops". Other - See also 1/1-011936 and 1/1-011937 for photographs of the same occasion. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative Processing information: The collection description was updated in November 2020 with information regarding commercial use of the photographs.
Clock tower, railway station, Christchurch
Date: [between ca 1962 and 1970]
From: Winder, Duncan, 1919-1970: Architectural photographs
Reference: DW-5344-F
Description: Photograph taken by Duncan Winder. Source of descriptive information - Duncan Winder register, Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative
Christchurch Railway Station, draped in flags and garlands of ferns and leaves, people ...
Date: [ca 1905-1926]
From: Maclay, Adam Henry Pearson, 1873-1955 :Negatives
Reference: 1/1-024010-G
Description: Photograph taken by Christchurch photographer Adam Henry Pearson Maclay. Source of descriptive information - Negative registers. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative, 1/1 plate
Effects of the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, particularly of wide views of s...
Date: 7 June 2012
From: BeckerFraserPhotos :Photographs relating to the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011
Reference: PADL-000769
Description: Further photographs showing the effects of the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 taken on 7 June 2012 by BeckerFraserPhotos, particularly of wide views of a snowy Christchurch central city (CBD) taken from the roof of Alice in Videoland shop. Shows EPIC technology centre construction site, Real Groovy music shop, Odeon Theatre fly tower near the intersection of High, Manchester and Tuam Streets, the Inland Revenue (IRD) building, CF Cotters & Co near Lichfield street, looking across intersection of High and Tuam streets at McKenzie & Willis, looking across buildings to old Christchurch Railway Station (housed Science Alive and Hoyts Cinema) with snowy Cashmere Hills behind, looking over to AMI Stadium and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (known as Christchurch Basilica) on High Street, snowy Cashmere Hills behind. Arrangement: Files were originally delivered to the Library within a folder called 'June 07 From Alice in Wonderland' Quantity: 5 digital photograph(s).
New Zealand Railways :[Ephemera relating to railways, railway trains, rail timetables, ...
Date: 1960 - 1965
By: New Zealand Railways
Reference: Eph-A-RAIL-1960/1965
Description: Includes: 1960s: The Express; the news magazine of the NZ Railway and Locomotive Society Inc. Subscription application form [1960s?] NZR Rail-Air Goods label (2 copies) Rail ticket for 1 trip between Taita to Naenae or Manor Park [1960s?] 1960: New Zealand Railways luggage label 1960 New Longburn railway bridge and deviation. Opening ceremony by the Hon Michael Moohan, Minister of Railways. Tuesday, 18 October 1960. Souvenir programme The Scenic Daylight; fast diesel-hauled express trains, Auckland-Wellington, Wellington-Auckland, Summer 1960-61. Timetable 1961: North Island Main Trunk Railway. Route of "The Scenic Daylight". Produced by Railways Publicity & Advertising Branch. 1961 New Zealand Railways. Trolley Driver's licence. The bearer, Temporary Surfaceman Dennis Peter Keogh ... is licensed to drive a trolley of the following type: 1. Hand-operated trolley; 2. Motor-trolley. Date of issue 1st March 1961. New Zealand Railways. Publicity & Advertising Branch. Electric railway traction in New Zealand. October 1961 Railcar services Palmerston North - Woodville - Masterton - Wellington. [Timetable flier]. 1961 New Zealand Railways. Publicity & Advertising Branch. The spiral at Raurimu. June 1961. Pamphlet. 1962: Return ticket Frankton-Matamata, 2 February 1962 The Scenic Daylight. Timetable 1962-1963 1963: Centenary of New Zealand Railways. Unveiling of commemorative plaque at Christchurch Railway Station, by the Hon J K McAlpine, Minister of Railways. Saturday, 30 November 1963. Programme Government Railways Welfare Society. Welfare is in your hands. R E Owen, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, 1963. New Zealand Railways. Publicity & Advertising Branch. 100 years of progress, 1863-1963. R E Owen, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, 1963. New Zealand's first train, December 1, 1863. 1964: New Zealand Railways. Publicity & Advertising Branch. Drive inter-island by the Rail-road ferry "Aramoana". Produced by Railways Publicity & Advertising Branch, 1964 (2 copies) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Inc. Canterbury provincial railways; genesis of the N.Z.R. system, by W A Pierre. 1964. Order form. Typescript sheet - amendment to rules of Railway Welfare Board. 11 February 1964 1965: NZ Railway & Locomotive Society. Memories of the 1880s. [Postcard of the "F" class locomotive 'Meg Merrilies'] New Zealand Railways principal rail, road and ferry services. Timetables, North Island, on and after 6 December 1965 (2 copies) North Island Main Trunk Railway. R E Owen Government Printer, 1965. 20,000/9/65 - 10634D Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Photolithographs, sizes varying under 250 mm Provenance: Some items donated by Owen Spearpoint from the estate of Brian Edward Spearpoint, 2014.