railway and road through the Manawatu Gorge, early 20th century

The railway was completed in 1891 on the north side (left in the pic) and the road in 1872 on the south side.  Both are about the same height above the Manawatu River. It is the only instance in the Southern Hemisphere of a river running through a watershed dividing range.  Here the range is given separate names - the Ruahine (north side of the river) and Tararua (south of the river).  Slips regularly cause blockages to both the road and the railway.  See earlier posts.