Rimutaka Tunnel The first shot was fired in 1948 when the Public Works Department started the tunnel with bores of at the western end and at the eastern end. A contract for completing the tunnel was let to a consortium of Morrison Knudsen Inc. and Downer and Company on 7 May 1951. The work commenced at the west end in July 1951 and at the east end in August. The contract was expected to be completed in four years, but the headings met on 20 April 1954 with the concrete lining finished a month later. New Zealand Railways took possession of the
Sydney Harbour railway electricity tunnel constructed by State Rail. The tunnel was a major technological and engineering achievement and was the first such venture to be undertaken in Australia without overseas assistance. It was a major link in the power supply to the railway and tramway system between Sydney and the North Shore and although flooded is an important element of the development of public transport in Sydney. Sydney Harbour railway electricity tunnel was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. Sydney Harbour railway electricity tunnel Sydney Harbour railway electricity tunnel is heritage-listed electricity infrastructure running under Sydney Harbour