Otaihanga railway station facts for kids

The Otaihanga railway station was a small stop on the railway line in New Zealand. It was located between Paraparaumu and Waikanae. This line was first built and run by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR). Today, this same railway line is part of the Kapiti Line section of the main railway network, called the North Island Main Trunk.

Station History

The Otaihanga station first opened on 2 August 1886. It was a "flag station," which means trains would only stop there if a passenger waved a flag to signal the train, or if someone on the train asked to get off there.

The Last Spike Ceremony

A very important event happened near Otaihanga station. On 27 October 1886, the two parts of the railway line met here. A special ceremony took place on 3 November 1886. The Governor at the time, William Jervois, drove in the very last spike to finish the railway line. More than a thousand people came to watch this big moment.

The first train to carry goods and earn money ran on 30 October. It was a stock train carrying 355 sheep and 60 cattle. Today, the monument marking where the last spike was driven can be found at the Southward Car Museum carpark.

What the Station Served

The Otaihanga station served the area called Otaihanga. Back then, it was mostly a rural area with farms. Now, it has many homes and is mainly a residential area.

Station Features

The station had a platform on the east side of the railway tracks. There was also a short side track on the west side. The station had a small waiting shed for passengers. It was about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles and 9 chains) north of Paraparaumu.

When the Station Closed

The Otaihanga station closed on 30 May 1903. Some old records suggest it might have closed in 1902, but the 1903 date is more commonly accepted. An advertisement from the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company in 1903 clearly stated the station would close on May 30th.

The North Island Main Trunk Railway, looking south from the Otaihanga Road level crossing. On the right is the location of a former halt; on the left is Southward Car Museum.