Cross Creek railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cross Creek
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| Formerly New Zealand Government Railways | |
Cross Creek station yard, looking west at the start of the incline.
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| Coordinates | 41°10′3.39″S 175°12′56.64″E / 41.1676083°S 175.2157333°E |
| Owned by | Formerly Railways Department Now Department of Conservation |
| Line(s) | Formerly part of Wairarapa Line |
| Platforms | None |
| Tracks | Main (1), crossing loops (2), sidings (6) |
| History | |
| Opened | 12 October 1878 |
| Closed | 30 October 1955 |
| Previous names | Cross's Creek |
Cross Creek railway station was a very important railway station in New Zealand. It was the main hub for the Rimutaka Incline, which was a special type of railway that helped trains climb steep hills. This railway went over the Rimutaka Ranges.
Cross Creek was part of the first Wairarapa Line. This line connected Upper Hutt and Featherston in the Wellington region of New Zealand's North Island. The station was located between Pigeon Bush and Summit stations. Cross Creek station was no longer needed when the Rimutaka Tunnel opened.
This station was built only to help the Incline work. It didn't send or receive goods for towns. It mainly served the railway workers who lived there.
Contents
What is Cross Creek's Story?
The name Cross Creek comes from a man named Mr. Lot Cross. He lived and farmed near where the station was built. In the early days, it was called Cross's Creek. But in the 1880s, the name was made simpler to Cross Creek.
How Was Cross Creek Station Built?
Building Cross Creek station was part of a bigger project. This project was called the Incline Contract for the Rimutaka Incline. It covered building the railway from south of the Summit Tunnel to Featherston. Charles McKirdy won the contract on October 5, 1875.
The station started with a simple layout. It had a safety siding and two loops for wagons. There was also a shed for two engines at the south end. But this wasn't enough as the railway got busier. More sidings were added over time. By 1915, the station reached its full size.
A coal shed was attached to the engine shed. This shed was made bigger in 1882. In 1889, the engine shed was extended again. But by 1899, even more space was needed. A new, larger engine shed was built at the north end of the yard. It had a workshop attached. The office for the Locomotive Foreman was built in 1914. Coal was shoveled into the Fell locomotives from a special platform. There was also a shelter and pit for changing brake blocks on the Fell brake vans.
The station had only a small shelter for passengers. There was also an office for the railway staff. Many houses were built for families and managers. A dormitory was built in the early 1900s for single staff members. The station even had a school and a swimming pool for the children living there.
How Did Cross Creek Station Operate?
Cross Creek always had locomotives based there. Until 1880, this included four Fell locomotives. After the engine shed at Featherston closed in 1891, all locomotives for the South Wairarapa area were based at Cross Creek. A new engine shed was built in 1899.
Fell locomotives needed special care. So, a workshop was kept at the station. A fitter was always there to fix them. In 1902, a fitter was promoted to Assistant Locomotive Foreman. This meant two fitters were based at Cross Creek. A third fitter joined in 1911. The workshops could handle most repairs. One of the six Fell locomotives was usually away for bigger repairs.
Cross Creek was one of the first stations on the Wairarapa Line to get signals. These signals helped control train movements. Southbound trains had to use a siding or loop. Northbound trains used the main line. There were two safety sidings with ground discs. A home signal was at the bottom of the incline. A starting signal controlled trains leaving for Featherston.
Cross Creek had a special six-lever signaling system. It did not have "distant" signals. Instead, it used points indicators for the main line. Summit station had a much larger 27-lever system.
In 1885, an important rule was made. The points from the Incline always had to be set to the safety siding. When a train came down, the driver would give one long whistle. This meant the train was under control. Then, the signalman would set the points for the train's arrival. If there was a problem, the driver would blow three short whistles quickly. No such emergency ever happened.
Why Did Cross Creek Station Close?
People looked for new ways to connect the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. They wanted to avoid the expensive Rimutaka Incline. Many ideas for a tunnel were considered. Some plans would have had the tunnel come out at Cross Creek. But the chosen tunnel route came out in a gully to the north. Once work started on the Rimutaka Tunnel, Cross Creek's future was set.
The last train passed through Cross Creek on Saturday, October 29, 1955. It was a special trip for the Carterton Show Day. Most of the people living at Cross Creek went to a farewell party at Summit. They were brought home later that day. The station closed the next day, along with the rest of the line over the Remutaka Ranges. By March 1956, most of the tracks were removed. The buildings were sold and taken away.
What is Cross Creek Like Today?
Today, Cross Creek is part of the Remutaka Rail Trail. This trail was opened on November 1, 1987. The New Zealand Department of Conservation manages it. You can still see parts of the old station. These include the concrete foundations of the engine shed. You can also see the pit where brake blocks were changed. The turntable pit is also still there.
For hikers, the Conservation Department built a shelter shed. They also put up plaques. These plaques point out and describe different features of the old railway yard.
What are the Future Plans for Cross Creek?
The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust has plans for the future. They want to rebuild and run a heritage railway. This railway would go between Maymorn and Featherston. It would use the original Wairarapa Line railway path over the Remutaka Ranges.
The third stage of their project is very exciting. It involves building and running the Incline section. This part would be between Summit and Cross Creek. They plan to use original Fell locomotives and brake vans.
Images for kids
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Cross Creek station yard, looking west at the start of the incline.
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Cross Creek station railway yards, with a long goods train carrying sheep and railway houses nearby, 1910s
