Rukuhia railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rukuhia railway station
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Rukuhia in 1953
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| Location | Rukuhia New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 37°51′49″S 175°16′58″E / 37.863606°S 175.28266°E | ||||||||||
| Elevation | 55 m (180 ft) | ||||||||||
| Line(s) | North Island Main Trunk | ||||||||||
| Distance | Wellington 533.84 km (331.71 mi) | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | 4 June 1878 | ||||||||||
| Closed | 12 September 1971 | ||||||||||
| Electrified | June 1988 | ||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
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The Rukuhia railway station was a small train stop in New Zealand. It was located in the area called Rukuhia. This station was part of the important North Island Main Trunk railway line.
It was built when the railway line was being extended in the 1870s. When it first opened, two trains stopped there every day.
Contents
Opening the Railway Line
The railway line from Hamilton to Ōhaupō faced some problems. It was delayed because the ground at Rukuhia was sinking. This sinking ground is called subsidence.
A train service was planned for February 1878. Even the Governor General visited the line in March 1878. But the opening was still put off. Workers had to pour lots of gravel into a big hole to make the ground stable.
Ground Problems
The railway line finally opened on 4 June 1878. Years later, in 1943, a warning was given. It said that train engines should not stay still on the side tracks for too long. This was because of the danger of the ground sinking.
In 1981, tests showed that the track moved about 12 millimeters each time a train passed. This happened because the railway was built over a soft, wet area called a peat swamp.
Station Features and Changes
Over the years, Rukuhia station grew and changed. In 1879, a road was built to reach the station. A side track, called a siding, was added in 1881.
By 1884, the station had several important buildings. It had a house for the stationmaster. There was also a goods shed, which was a building for storing items. A shelter shed, a platform, and a way for carts to approach were also built.
More Additions
By 1897, the station had yards for cattle. In 1908, a passing loop was added. This allowed trains to pass each other on the track. This loop was long enough for 38 wagons. By 1911, yards for sheep were also built.
Station Closure
Rukuhia railway station closed completely on 12 September 1971. Today, only the passing loop remains. The station buildings and platforms are gone.
