Branxholme locomotive dump

The loose rock and surrounding mud at the Ōreti River crossing at Branxholme provided an unstable formation for the railway lines running west of Invercargill to Ohai, Riverton and Tuatapere.

Initially large amounts of rock and other debris were tipped at Branxholme to stabilise the line, however, this did not stay in place, particularly after heavy rains and subsequent flooding.

In 1927, when scrap steel was an uneconomic proposition, New Zealand Railways started dumping obsolete steam locomotives at Branxholme to arrest erosion.

Initial attempts to control this using large quantities of rock and other debris were unsuccessful, and so NZR decided to use old steam locomotives which had been withdrawn as a bulwark against this erosion.

It is known that scrap-metal hunters have found the dumpsite previously as many of the locomotives have been partially gas-cut to allow access to their copper inner fireboxes and bronze bearings.

Since the final dumpings took place, the Invercargill city council has constructed a stop-bank near the dumpsite, allowing easier access by enthusiasts to the locomotives.

Due to the damage caused by the dumping and subsequent exposure to the elements, the locomotive's cylinders, pony trucks, and driving wheels were salvaged before the frame and boiler were scrapped.

The remains of P 133 were noted in storage in the Dunedin area in 2014, while the frame of P 60, which was salvaged without its boiler, was placed on display beside State Highway 6 at the southern end of Lumsden in late 2014.