Piako railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Piako railway station
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| Location | 37°38'39.0"S 175°33'30.6"E New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 37°38′39.0″S 175°33′30.6″E / 37.644167°S 175.558500°E |
| Line(s) | Thames Branch |
| History | |
| Opened | 1/3/1886 |
| Closed | passengers 22/11/1948 freight 14/10/1968 |
| Previous names | Murray's until 8/12/1912 |
Piako was once a small railway stop in New Zealand. It was known as a flag station. This means trains would only stop there if someone waved a flag to get on, or if a passenger on the train asked to get off.
The station was located where State Highway 26 and Horrell Road meet. It was part of the old Thames Branch railway line. Piako was about 2.87 kilometers (1.78 miles) east of Morrinsville and 4.03 kilometers (2.50 miles) west of Tatuanui.
Contents
Piako Railway Station
Piako railway station played a small but interesting part in New Zealand's railway history. It served the local community for many years before trains stopped running there.
Who Owned the Land?
The land where Piako station was built had a few important owners over time. These owners were also politicians, meaning they were involved in the government of New Zealand.
- Thomas Gillies was one of the first owners.
- William Murray later owned the land. Around 1881, he built a large house nearby called Annandale House. Mr. Murray hoped that a major railway junction would be built on his land, instead of in Morrinsville.
- William Shepherd Allen bought the farm in 1887. He added special pens and ramps for loading sheep onto trains in 1890 and built more stockyards in 1898. The Allen family owned the farm until 1920. They still own Annandale House, which is now a very important historic building. It has been listed as a Category 1 listed building since 1989.
The Station's Story
The railway line was still being built when it first opened to Te Aroha. The stop at Piako was originally called "Murray's" after William Murray.
Early Days and Renaming
When it first opened, Murray's had a simple platform. A small shelter was added in 1887 for passengers waiting for the train. In December 1912, the station was officially renamed Piako. This name change had been planned from the very beginning.
Closing Down
Piako station stopped serving passengers on November 22, 1948. This meant people could no longer catch a train from there. The station building itself was taken away in December 1961. The stockyards, which were used for loading animals, were removed in 1968.
What's There Now?
Today, the area where Piako station once stood is a peaceful place. In 1975, the site became the Murray Oaks Scenic Reserve. This reserve helps protect the natural beauty and history of the area.
