Bridging the past and present: the Invercargill rail overbridge

Written By Southern Steam

As told by Lindsay Buckingham, Chair and Southland railway enthusiast

For those of us who grew up in Invercargill, the old railway station pedestrian overbridge holds a special place in our memories. It was more than just a way to cross the tracks; it was a front-row seat to the bustling heart of a vibrant railway yard. As a young boy fascinated by trains, I spent countless hours there, watching the comings and goings of locomotives.

A photo of the railway bridge, circa 1900 or earlier from the Southland Museum & Art Gallery Collection.

That iconic overbridge was removed in the mid-1970s, when the original 1864 station, New Zealand’s oldest at the time, was demolished. In its place rose the current station building, a product of a 1975 general election promise.

Like many, I assumed the overbridge had been lost to time. Dismantled, scrapped, and blurred like so many pieces of our railway past alongside our own memories of what stood before.

But now and then just like our memories, something returns, clear and familiar, like stepping back onto a bridge you thought was gone.

A Bridge Reappears in the Lillburn Valley

Fast forward to a recent project in the Lillburn Valley, Western Southland. Darryl, one of our Trustees, was commissioned to design a new forestry access bridge. While surveying the site, he stumbled upon something remarkable: a span of the very same pedestrian overbridge from Invercargill’s railway station.

Yes, the bridge had survived!

What a find!

Thanks to the generosity of Southwood Exports Ltd, the Southern Steam Trust was gifted the one known remaining original span. As spotted by some of our facebook followers, it now rests safely in our yard, awaiting restoration. Once refurbished with new timber beams and decking, it will once again serve as a viewing platform, this time offering a perfect vantage point to watch our beloved F150 steam locomotive when she returns to action.

A Bridge with a Story to Tell

The bridge span itself is a piece of living history. The rail it’s made from still bears the original branding: “GNRC 70LB 1870”, a tangible link to the 19th century and the golden age of rail in New Zealand.

On arrival to our yard, it was clear to see that its time in the forest has left marks.

Nature giving a bit of extra support at one end

The Opossum poo survived the 100km trip from the Lillburn Valley

This project is more than just preservation. It’s about reconnecting with our past, sharing stories with the next generation, and celebrating the engineering marvels that helped shape our communities.

With Thanks To...

This rediscovery and restoration wouldn’t be possible without the support of some incredible people and organisations:

Their efforts are helping us bring a piece of Invercargill’s railway heritage back to life.

How can you get involved?

Want to be contribute and be part of this special journey? You can donate here or share your stories and photos with us.

Any contribution helps us to bring to life railway relics from our memories into the hands of our community and for our future generations.

 

Southern Steam