Standing at the feet of Mt Ruapehu are the remains of several railway viaducts in various stages of decay. Modernisation of the railway network and the move towards concrete bridges in place of the historic steel viaducts has meant that these symbols of industrialisation are no longer in use. One of the viaducts has been turned into a tourist attraction with the option of walking across it – on this viaduct I took the path less travelled and popped down for a look at the hidden service platform beneath its deck.

These steel pins held the wires taut.

Looking up at a viaduct

The viaducts are surrounded by wildlife and forests

This was the most decayed of the 3 viaducts

A disused rail tunnel looking out

A disused rail tunnel looking in

The new concrete viaduct with the old steel one in the background.

The steel rivets holding the viaduct together

The view of the viaduct from the platform beneath

The old wooden service platform beneath one of the disused viaducts

This was found under one of the viaducts