This collection covers rail history in Wellington from the formation of the Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company in 1881 to the centralised New Zealand Railways Department that existed for much of the 20th Century. All images captured by NZR photographers have been included here for consistency and feature railway stations, trains, department teams and offices, and various events that involved the use of rail transport. Also included is material relating to their Rail Ferries and Road Services divisions.
This collection also contains 'unofficial' material relating to railways such as photographs by Ans Westra and early postcards depicting Wellington scenes.