Trentham railway station, Upper Hutt facts for kids

Trentham Railway Station is a train station in Trentham, a suburb of Upper Hutt city in the Wellington region of New Zealand's North Island. It is part of the Hutt Valley Line, which is a section of the Wairarapa Line. The station has two side platforms. Trains called "Matangi" FP class, run by Metlink, stop here.

The railway line has two tracks up to just north of Trentham station. After that, it becomes a single track going north. Usually, trains heading south use the platform on Ararino Street (the western side). They then switch to the "down" line south of the station. The platform on Racecourse Road (the eastern side) is mostly used on race days or for other special events at the nearby Trentham Racecourse.

You can buy Metlink train tickets at the Racecourse Dairy, which is across the road from the station.

Station Upgrades and Future Plans

What's Happening at Trentham Station?

Trentham station is getting some big upgrades as part of the Wellington Metro Rail project. This project is also adding a second track all the way to Upper Hutt. The old, low platforms will be made higher. The eastern "racecourse side" platform will be moved a bit further west. This will create more space between the two main train tracks.

New Features for Passengers

To make it easier to get around, a new underground walkway (subway) will be built. This subway will connect passengers to the new platform. The station will also get a new building, similar to the one at Redwood station. These improvements started with a special ceremony in December 2019.

Plans for More Tracks

Back in 2010, a plan called the Regional Rail Plan (RRP) suggested adding a second track between Trentham and Upper Hutt. This was planned for the 2011-2012 year. In 2016, it was announced that 40 new parking spaces would be added at the station. This increased the total parking spots from 94 to 134.

History of Trentham Station

When Did Trentham Station Open?

Trentham Railway Station first opened its doors on 8 January 1907. When it first started, it only had a single track. There was also a loop line that led to the racecourse platform. This platform was built to serve the new Trentham Racecourse, which had just opened.

How the Tracks Changed Over Time

In June 1955, the railway line became a double track all the way to Trentham. A few months later, in September, the line was electrified, meaning trains could run on electricity.

Controlling the Trains

Trentham station used to have its own signal box on the main platform. This box controlled the train movements. After the line became double-tracked to Trentham, the signals and crossovers (where trains can switch tracks) could be controlled from the signal box at Upper Hutt. This meant the Trentham signal box was only needed on race days. On 6 February 2007, both the Trentham and Upper Hutt signal boxes were turned off. Now, all train control for these stations is managed from a central office in Wellington.

Trentham Army Camp Sidings

From 1941 to 1954, there were extra railway tracks, called sidings, at the Trentham Army Camp. These sidings were used for moving goods (freight) and for special troop trains. The Army even had its own small train for shunting (moving wagons around). Most of these tracks were removed in the 1970s. The sidings were about half a kilometer from Trentham Railway Station.

Train and Bus Services

Trentham Railway Station is a busy hub for local transport. It serves both train and bus services provided by Metlink.

Metlink Bus Services at Trentham

The station is connected to several Metlink bus routes, making it easier for people to travel around the area.