Rimutaka Incline railway accidents

The Rimutaka incline railway line has had several accidents as the result of strong cross winds.

The first accident occurred on 11 September 1880 when the leading three carriages on a Greytown to Wellington train were blown off the track in strong winds near the Siberia tunnel; killing four passengers.

At Cross Creek the two passenger cars and the luggage carriage were put in front of the engine.

The inquest found that the deaths were accidental, caused by the carriages being blown off the line, and no blame was attached to anyone.

On 8 October 1936 a 16-ton railcar (RM6 Mamari) travelling south on the Wairarapa line was blown off the track by a gust estimated at 128 km/h (80 mph).