Here we have a 1951 diagram of Auripo. It looks like the proposed extension of the loop was constructed. Auripo was one of the smallest and most remote stations on the Otago Central branch. It had just a small shelter, loading bank, one loop and a stockyards. There were no extra sidings or goods shed…

Here are the final maps for Lauder. Aerial photography alignment was pretty difficult for this set of maps and what you can see reflects the best outcome I could achieve. The maps use the newest style that I am rolling out across all different map types for making them easier to use. Next station down…

Due to being busy with a few other things there hasn’t been much done on the Otago Central rail maps lately. I’m working on Lauder again but the mosaic still needs some work before I can actually use it. The interim version of Lauder is below. As you can see there is improved image quality…

As I wrote in my last post I am currently updating the map of Lauder station.  These two images are respectively 1938 and 1965 images of Lauder. There is no apparent change in the layout of Lauder between these two periods. At this stage there are no plans to extend the masking as I am…

This is really just a quick catchup, because I haven’t done much on this section over the past couple of weeks. Since the next station up the line from Omakau is Lauder, I need to start working on that. So far what I have covered is the Google Earth streetview of this section of the…

Here’s the complete finalised map set for Omakau and a few Google pictures from along the way. Bridge 74  just west of Omakau and the deep rock cutting at the west end of it. Bridge 74A was added to the line in 1964 to eliminate a level crossing on State Highway 85, the site of…

I am revising the maps of Omakau at present. This has allowed much sharper historical imagery due to lessons learned in how to get the best result out of Gimp. At the same time I have added a 1938 aerial photo and the masking has been extended to cover more of the station precinct including…

Here are the completed maps and diagrams for Chatto Creek. A point of interest is near the 119 milepeg where the chainage chart shows a siding for a “Rails and Sleepers Depot”. This is not particularly obvious on aerial photos so it may have just been a construction facility when the line was being built. 

This an interim post as the maps for Chatto Creek station are currently being updated to include 1938 and 1956 aerial imagery as well as 1965. The earlier aerial imagery shows details of the ballast pit being open for example as the masking has also been expanded to include the ballast pit area in the…