This cache was placed so it is not too far for the average walker. For the keen, continue onto the top of the incline and see the remains of the Fell Locomotives at Summit Station.
There are toilets at the beginning of the track and several rest benches and picnic areas enroute. The track goes past the Upper Hutt DeerStalker Association Range which is private property.
Take the exit off State Highway 2 at the big brown and white "Rimutaka Incline" sign and follow the signs. You will drive along a 30km/hr gravel road (you're actually on the old railway bed here) past the Karting Club until you come to a carpark at the listed waypoint at the end of the road. You can drive no further.
Note: The cache is just through the first (of two) tunnels. A torch is a good idea as the tunnel is curved. GPS reception is also dodgy at the GZ and the clue may be required.
As of 16th October 2018 the cache is now a camouflage-painted ammunition container. The initial contents included: Log; Pencil & Sharpener; assorted SWAG (Super YoYo Fighter, Heart Notebook, I Love NZ Thimble, Homework Safety Scissors, Phono-R recordable CD, Mens 'Toe' Socks); TB (New Zealand Down Under); Official Geocaching Hiking Staff Medallion (for the FTF).
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The Summit and Cross Creek Stations marked the ends of the incline, where the trains were prepared for the steep journey. Summit was a small station with only a signal box and 6 houses. Cross Creek was larger and had more facilities but it also lacked a large station building or passenger platform.
In spite of its acclaim as an engineering feat, a lot of criticism was aimed at the incline and it was always recognised that a better route was needed. After WWII, work began on a tunnel under the range. This opened in 1955 and the 'temporary' Rimutaka Incline was closed after 77 years of operation.
The problem with the building of this railway link was the steep face on the Wairarapa side of the Rimutaka Range. The "Fell" system of utilising a raised centre rail was implemented. The Fell Engines had horizontally mounted driving wheels that gripped this rail. When descending, both the engine and the brake vans applied their brakes to this centre rail.
The gradient was 1 in 15 - very steep for trains. The Wellington side of the incline is very much a conventional incline and is hardly noticed when walking. The remains of the rail track follow a river and there are points of interest noted along the route.
Placed by a member of the Kiwicaching Association of New Zealand
Hint: Use the hint!