Hautere railway station facts for kids

Hautere railway station was a small train stop in New Zealand. It was located on the important North Island Main Trunk railway line. This line helped connect different parts of the North Island. Hautere was a "flag station," which meant trains would only stop there if someone waved a flag to get on, or if a passenger on the train told the conductor they wanted to get off there.

History of Hautere Station

Hautere railway station was part of a big railway project in New Zealand. It was built by a company called the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR).

Opening the Line

The WMR company opened its main railway line, called the Wellington-Manawatu Line, on November 30, 1886. This was a big day because it meant trains could travel all the way from Wellington to Palmerston North. The section of the line where Hautere was located, between Waikanae and Ōtaki, was built by Messrs Wilkie and Wilson.

When Hautere Station Opened

Hautere station wasn't ready when the first train timetables came out in February 1887. However, it was open by December 1887. The railway company even started selling land nearby, which showed the area was growing. By 1888, Hautere station was listed in the train timetables.

Changes and Closure

Over time, the station's use changed. By 1895, Hautere was mainly used as a "siding." This means it was a short track next to the main line where trains could pull off to load or unload goods. There was also a sawmill nearby, which likely used the siding to transport wood.

Sadly, Hautere railway station didn't stay open for very long. It was officially reported as closed on February 3, 1900.

The Station Site Today

Today, you won't find a busy station at Hautere. Only a single railway track now runs through the spot where the station used to be. It's a quiet reminder of a time when small train stops played a big role in connecting communities in New Zealand.