Clyde Railway Museum

The Clyde Railway Museum, housed in the historic 1907 Troup Type B railway station, stands as a testament to the vision and challenges of the Otago Central Railway, a rail project that played a critical role in the development of Central Otago.

Construction of the railway began in 1878, when Vincent Pyke, then Chairman of the Vincent County Council, dug the first sod in what was expected to be a swift six-year project to connect to Lake Wanaka. However, due to difficult terrain and funding challenges, progress was slow—by 1884, only 12.5 kilometres of track had been laid. Despite these setbacks, the rail line continued westward, finally reaching Cromwell in 1921, though it never extended to Wanaka as originally planned.
 

The station at Clyde saw a surge in use for transporting goods, especially the region’s renowned fruit produce, and for popular excursion trains. However, as road transportation gained dominance in the mid-20th century, rail usage declined. A new rail station was briefly opened in 1980 to serve the Clyde Dam construction, but with the project's completion, the line became redundant and was ultimately abandoned in 1990 from Middlemarch to Clyde. Fortunately, the 1907 Clyde station was preserved, recognized as a Category II historic site in 1997.
 

Today, the Clyde Railway Museum is a cornerstone of the town’s heritage precinct, displaying a collection of historic engines, railway equipment, and early electro-technology. As part of the Otago Central Rail Trail experience, the museum offers visitors a fascinating link to the region's rail heritage, allowing them to appreciate the incredible legacy of the railway that once connected Central Otago’s remote communities to the rest of New Zealand.

Where: Fraser Street Domain
Open Hours : The museum is open when the bike shop is open
Admission : General admission free