Elevation station, or "The Elevation" was a simple shelter shed, built when the railroad was built, in November 1875. It's platform is still visible - the grassy level section down below you. The shelter shed is long gone, having been pulled out in October 1968. The remaining building down there is an equipment shed.
The climb from Picton to Elevation is a problematic 1 in 37 slope, the fourth steepest rail in New Zealand, after the 1:15 Rimutaka Incline, the 1:32 Otira Tunnel near Arthur's Pass and two short 1:33 slopes in Taranaki and Auckland. The climb to Elevation occasionally needed two engines, especially in the early days when steam engines were smaller and less powerful. Often in those days the passengers would hop off the train, walk up the hill and wait for the train to arrive. In winter, with ice on the rails the engine would often not make it up the hill and had to coast back down for a second try. This also happened in summer when the boys on the school trains applied the carriage brakes - which never happened on the way home!
For the first 20 years the trip to Blenheim took 90 minutes, an average speed of just 32km/h. By 1970 the trip time was down to 30 minutes. Even in the 1950's it was still an hour long trip!
Elevation station (on right) in snow.
The viaduct over Essons Valley, climbing out of Picton.
References:
Berry, K: "Tales from the Train", published by Marlborough Boys' and Girls' Colleges, 2000.
McGavin, T.A.: "A Century of Railways in Marlborough 1876-1976", published by the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1977.
Scoble, J: "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations,"published by the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand, 2010.
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