Kaitoke railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kaitoke
|
|
|---|---|
| Formerly New Zealand Government Railways (NZGR) | |
Trains crossing at Kaitoke Station. Class Wb locomotives, 1901
|
|
| Location | Station Drive, Kaitoke |
| Coordinates | 41°5′4.22″S 175°10′5.02″E / 41.0845056°S 175.1680611°E |
| Owned by | Formerly Railways Department Now in private ownership |
| Line(s) | Formerly part of Wairarapa Line |
| Platforms | Single |
| Tracks | 1 main line, 1 crossing loop |
| History | |
| Opened | 28 December 1877 |
| Closed | 30 October 1955 |
| Previous names | Pakuratahi, Kaitoki |
Kaitoke railway station was a small train station located on the Wairarapa Line in New Zealand. It was found between Upper Hutt and Featherston in the Wellington region.
When it first opened, Kaitoke was the end of the railway line. This was where the train tracks met the main road that went between Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa. Later, it became an important stop where train engines were swapped, steam trains could get water, and trains could pass each other. Passengers could also buy snacks and drinks at the station's refreshment room.
The station closed on 30 October 1955. This happened when a new, shorter railway route, called the Rimutaka Deviation, opened. This new route avoided the steep Rimutaka Incline, which used a special Fell system to help trains climb the Rimutaka Ranges.
Contents
Building the Station
Building the railway line to Kaitoke was a big job. It was part of a contract to build the line between Upper Hutt and the Pakuratahi Valley. The station was first going to be called Pakuratahi Station.
The work was supposed to be finished by March 1876, but it took longer than planned. Finally, the railway line was completed on 16 December 1877.
As the railway neared completion, the government decided to build a station building and a house for the stationmaster. A builder named W. H. Ridler was hired for this work. They also built an access road to the station and prepared the ground for the buildings.
Opening Day
By December 1877, the train tracks reached the station, which was now called Kaitoki (later changed to Kaitoke). People in the Wairarapa area were worried that the station wasn't in a good spot for moving goods between trains and roads, but the government kept the station where it was.
The railway line to Kaitoke Station officially opened on 28 December 1877. The Marquis of Normanby, a special guest, came for the opening. A special train ran from Wellington to Kaitoke for the event. After speeches and looking around the station, which already had a refreshment room, the guests returned to Wellington.
For the next few days, special trains ran from Wellington to Kaitoke. Many people were curious to see the new line, which had a reputation for being difficult to build.
Station Life
Kaitoke Station was very busy when it first opened. It was the main hub for the Wairarapa Line. However, this busy period only lasted until 16 October 1878, when the line was extended all the way to Featherston. After that, Kaitoke became less important.
The station had a main track and one extra track for trains to pass each other. There wasn't much flat land, so the station always kept this simple layout. There was also a short track for locomotives south of the station, but this was removed when trains stopped changing engines there.
The refreshment rooms were made bigger in 1896. A signal box, which helped control train movements, was added in 1902. The station buildings stayed mostly the same until the refreshment rooms closed around 1952.
In 1883, about 759 passengers left Kaitoke Station. This number stayed steady for many years. The amount of goods handled by the station also grew. This led to more trains being added to the schedule soon after the station opened.
Signals and Safety
In 1887, Kaitoke was one of the first stations on this part of the line to get signals. These signals helped guide trains safely. For example, trains heading south had to use the passing track, while trains heading north stayed on the main line.
Later, a smaller version of a modern signaling system was installed at Kaitoke. A signal box was built at the south end of the platform. This system used signals with arms that moved to tell train drivers what to do.
Station Closure
Kaitoke station closed on 30 October 1955. This happened when the new Rimutaka Deviation opened. The new line was much faster and safer, making the old route over the Rimutaka Ranges unnecessary. The new line opened just a few days later, on 3 November.
Kaitoke Today
The old access road to the station, called Station Drive, still exists. It now leads to several private homes built on the flat area where the station used to be. You can easily see this area from the main road.
You can also walk or cycle to the south end of the former station yard. This is part of the old railway line, which is now a public walking and cycling path between Kaitoke and Mangaroa.
The Future of the Line
There is a project called the 'Rimutaka Incline Railway'. This group wants to rebuild a railway line on the old path between Maymorn and Featherston. This would include new tracks passing Kaitoke.
However, the group does not plan to buy back the land where the original Kaitoke Station was, as it is now privately owned. They also do not plan to build a new station at or near the old Kaitoke Station for their trains.
Images for kids
-
Station Drive, formerly an access road to Kaitoke Station, now providing access to several private dwellings on the former station site.
