Waiteti railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waiteti railway station
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1980 aerial view of Waiteti railway station
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| Location | New Zealand | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 38°23′13″S 175°11′56″E / 38.386906°S 175.199007°E | ||||||||||
| Elevation | 125 m (410 ft) | ||||||||||
| Line(s) | North Island Main Trunk | ||||||||||
| Distance | Wellington 470.07 km (292.09 mi) | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | 1939 | ||||||||||
| Closed | 1987 | ||||||||||
| Electrified | June 1988 | ||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
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Waiteti (sometimes called Waititi) was a special section of railway track in New Zealand. It was part of the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) railway line. Waiteti was a "passing loop," which means it was an extra piece of track where trains could wait. This allowed other trains to pass by on the main line.
The station was built in 1939 to help with train traffic. The railway line in this area had only one track, and it went steeply uphill from Te Kuiti. This made it hard for trains to pass each other. Waiteti helped reduce delays. It was about 470.07 km (292.09 mi) away from Wellington.
Contents
What Was Waiteti?
Waiteti was designed to ease "congestion" or traffic jams on the railway. The main track was a "single track block," meaning only one train could be on that section at a time. The line climbed very steeply, making it difficult for trains to go fast.
How It Worked
From the time it opened, Waiteti was controlled from a central point. This was done from the signalbox in Te Kuiti. This "central control" system helped manage train movements safely. The passing loop at Waiteti was long enough to hold about 100 small freight wagons.
History of the Station
The exact dates for when Waiteti opened and closed can be a bit confusing. Building a new passing loop was planned in 1938. It was estimated to cost about £8,600. This work happened at the same time as another loop was made longer at Kopaki. The total cost for both projects was £19,000.
Opening and Closing Dates
Most records suggest Waiteti probably opened on 9 December 1939. Some sources say it might have opened a little earlier, on 3 December 1939. It closed on 31 March 1987. However, official government records (called the New Zealand Gazette) suggest it was open from January 1939 to 5 May 1977. Even in 1983, the station could still be seen clearly in aerial photos.
Why Did It Close?
The railway line became "electrified" in 1988. This meant that more powerful electric locomotives could be used. These new trains were strong enough to pull heavy loads up the steep hills without needing to stop or wait for other trains as often. Because of this, the passing loop at Waiteti was no longer needed.
Location and Name
The Waiteti passing loop was located on the railway line between Te Kuiti and Puketutu. The part of the line that Waiteti was on opened in 1889. The Public Works Department had signed the contract to build this section in 1887.
The name "Waiteti" has a special meaning. It comes from the Māori language and translates to "water dripping from the ground." The station was built in a valley near a stream also called Waiteti.
