On the rails of history

Few people in Marlborough are more passionate about local history than John Orchard – especially if it involves a good story, a hidden tunnel, or an old railway line. Adrienne Matthews finds out more.

John Orchard describes himself as a “curious person,” and for most of his life, he’s been fascinated by Marlborough’s history. From geology and the gold rushes to the World War I antimony mining boom, whaling stations, Captain Cook sites, Māori Pās, and the Molesworth, his interests span far and wide. Raised in Marlborough, John completed his teaching training in Christchurch before returning to teach at Marlborough Boys’ College. His passion for history was ignited when he enrolled in a local course run by REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme), where he met the late Nevil Matthews, a renowned historian. “Nevil made history interesting and entertaining. Some nights, he’d encourage me to skip lesson planning for discussions that often went until 2 a.m. I learned a tremendous amount from him,” John recalls.

When Ralph Denton, another key figure, passed away, he left $250,000 to the Marlborough Historical Society. Eighty percent of this donation funded the first stage of the Brayshaw Park museum, with the remainder used to purchase 5km of railway track, a dream long held by Society members. In 1985, the Historical Society founded the Blenheim Riverside Railway at Brayshaw Park, a major step in preserving Marlborough’s extensive rail history, which dates back to the 1864 Wakamarina gold rush.

John’s personal interest in railways has taken him into the hills and valleys of Marlborough over the past 50 years. “I’ve spent countless hours searching for railway remains. Many of the wooden rails have rotted away, but the steel bends can still be seen,” he says. As part of his Outdoor Education Programme at Marlborough Boys’ College, John led students on expeditions to explore the region’s history and geography. He’s uncovered numerous remnants of old railways, many of which were short, lightweight two-foot gauge tracks used to transport materials for gold mining, coal, salt, and more. “The Grassmere railway carried salt, while the coal travelled from mines above Shakespeare Bay,” John explains.

The wartime demand for antimony to produce tungsten for armaments led to its transportation by rail from above Endeavour Inlet to a smelter near the sea. The sawmilling industry also required wider tracks, with locomotives used to safely transport massive logs.

John is particularly proud of the Riverside Railway, which now holds the title of the longest two-foot gauge railway in New Zealand. It also boasts the largest collection of two-foot gauge locomotives, including one from Puponga in Golden Bay, which was restored after over 110 years of use hauling coal. “Restoring that locomotive was quite a challenge,” John reflects.

In recent years, the extension of the Riverside Railway to Omaka has been a dream come true for the Historical Society. The new route connects Brayshaw Heritage Park with the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and Omaka Classic Cars. With the train regularly operating, ticket fares help cover running costs. This year marks the Society’s 40th anniversary, a milestone John is proud to celebrate. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the community, businesses, and local organizations. It takes a lot of money to restore historical items, and all the work is done by volunteers,” he says.

John is always eager for more volunteers to help with various roles, from station masters and loco drivers to maintenance and repairs. “Our vice-president joined when he was just eight years old, and he’s still with us at 30. We’re always looking for young people to get involved and learn from us,” says John.

Now retired, John plays multiple roles at the Riverside Railway, including loco driver, station master, and guard. He’s even taught Marlborough’s history through hands-on experiences, playing various roles such as a WWI army sergeant, Victorian-era schoolteacher, fireman, and gold miner. “Since retirement, I like to think of myself as an ‘antiquarian,’” he laughs. “Every historian needs a bit of eccentricity.” John’s enthusiasm for Marlborough’s history remains as strong as ever, and he continues to share his knowledge and love of the region’s past with others.