A new touchscreen interactive display is providing a wealth of Otago railway information for visitors at the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. The new interactive "information station'' includes more than 1000 high-quality old photographs and many video clips, some showing comments by retired railway staff.
The new information facility invites visitors to view the different railway lines that used to run around Otago and celebrates the much bigger role once played by the railways in Dunedin and Otago.
Exhibition developer William McKee explains how the Otago railway system peaked in the early 20th century, between 1900 and 1910. At that time more than 100 trains a day left the Dunedin Railway Station and there were more than 200 railway stations throughout Otago. The railways opened up the region, providing access to many far-flung places, including the station at Kingston, beside Lake Wakatipu. It is believed that the museum's railway interactive display is the only one of its kind in the country.
In addition to information on the Otago railway system included in the new display is a smaller screen which gives information about Josephine and other early Otago railway engines and the nearby railway yards. Animation Research Ltd was the project's main contractor and Dunedin Railways was the main supporter. The Otago Community Trust provided a $2,000 donation which went towards assisting with the cost of software development for the interactive display.
