Rangataua railway station

Last updated

Rangataua railway station
Railway station Rangataua 1910s.jpg
Railway station Rangataua 1910s
General information
LocationNew Zealand
Coordinates 39°25′35″S175°27′26″E / 39.42638°S 175.45713°E / -39.42638; 175.45713
Elevation670 m (2,200 ft)
Line(s) North Island Main Trunk
Distance Wellington 312.66 km (194.28 mi)
History
Openedin use from 31 May 1907
goods 12 August 1907
passengers 15 February 1909
Closedgoods 19/9/1986
passengers before December 1975
ElectrifiedJune 1988
Services
Preceding station Historical railways Following station
Ohakune
Line open, station open
4.43 km (2.75 mi)
  North Island Main Trunk
KiwiRail
  Karioi
Line open, station closed
5.52 km (3.43 mi)
Rangataua station and township about 1914 Rangataua Railway Station and township ATLIB 289865.png
Rangataua station and township about 1914

Rangataua was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, [1] in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand. [2] Like most of the stations on the central part of the NIMT, a large timber trade exploited the native bush until it was largely felled. What is now the small village of Rangataua developed to the south of the station. Just a single track now passes through [3] and virtually nothing remains of the once busy station and workshops. [4]

Contents

History

Surveying for the route between Hīhītahi and Piriaka began in 1894. [5] Bush felling for the railway started in 1900. [6] The rails were extended to the station on 31 May 1907 [6] and a passenger train with dignitaries and reporters reached it in July. [7] The line opened from Waiouru to Rangataua for goods traffic on 12 August 1907. A stationmaster was appointed in August 1907. There was mention of cars for passenger trains from Mataroa to Rangataua in September 1907. [6]

During construction a small workshop was built at Rangataua [8] in 1907 and 1908, with a plumber, carpenter, painter, store, and smithy. Further machinery was added in 1912 [6] and a shed in 1928. [9]

A 3rd class station was built by September 1909 for around £11,000, including workshops and housing for an inspector, a stationmaster and two platelayers. [6] 5 railway cottages were built by 1908 [10] and some were moved from Waiouru to Rangataua in 1909. The stationmaster got hot water in 1912, [6] the others in 1915, [11] and it was proposed to light the cottages with electricity in 1914. When opened, Rangataua had rooms for a stationmaster, booking office, lobby, luggage, urinals and ladies, on a 300 ft (91 m) by 15 ft (4.6 m) platform. There was also a 40 ft (12 m) by 30 ft (9.1 m) goods shed with verandah, a loading bank, cattle and sheep yards and a cart approach. There was a tablet and fixed signals. A water tank was added in 1910. A crossing loop could take 60 wagons. [6]

As timber traffic declined (see table below), so did the station. In 1934 Rangataua was converted to a tablet station which could be switched out. On 28 February 1959 it lost its stationmaster. Approval to remove the station building was given in 1971. On 19 September 1986 the station closed to all traffic. [6]

Timber

As shown in the table below, timber traffic reached a peak in 1913 and declined rapidly after 1930. There were several timber mills. R A Wilson proposed a siding in the station yard in 1907, Perham & Larson applied for a siding 20 ch (1,300 ft; 400 m) south of the station in 1908, Rangataua Timber Co (formed in 1907) [12] applied to extend theirs in 1908. [6] Perham & Larson had about 10 acres (4.0 ha) in 1909 [13] In 1910 they sent timber to Lower Hutt. [14] Perham, Larsen & Co's private siding was 1+12 mi (2.4 km) from the station. [6] Perham, Larson & Co had a tramway, with a Climax loco, [15] from about 1909 [16] (they had a tramway license in 1913) [17] to 1944. [18] Waiakaki Sawmilling Co had a tramway from around 1928 [19] to 1933. [20] In 1940 Marton Sash & Door Co were cutting the bush. [21]

Powell's tramway; probably a W.G. Bagnall Ltd 1911 0-4-2 ST, transferred to Westfield Freezing works in 1916 Powell Company timber tramway, Ohakune, or possibly Rangataua ATLIB 334373.png
Powell's tramway; probably a W.G. Bagnall Ltd 1911 0-4-2 ST, transferred to Westfield Freezing works in 1916

Powell Wood Process Ltd

In 1908 [10] a new sawmill and treatment works were built to produce Powellised timber, which was claimed to resist rot and insect damage. [23] They had rights to fell 4,402 acres (1,781 ha) [24] of rimu, mataī, kahikatea, māpou, kāmahi [25] and hard beech forest, [26] The works were connected to that and the railway by a tramway, [10] which extended some 6 mi (9.7 km) towards Mount Ruapehu, the total cost being about £30,000; [27] a 1910 photo showed a group on horses following a tramline on the way to the mountain. [28] A 1913 plan was for 7 mi (11 km) of tramway. [29] The works was expanded in 1909 [30] and 1911, [31] but a 1915 report cast doubt on the claims for the process [32] and, after the works burnt down in the Raetihi Forest fire of 1918, [33] the company went into liquidation. [34] A 1930 report on wooden paving in Auckland noted how well the Powellised timber had lasted. [35]

Patronage

As shown in the table and graph below, like many NIMT stations, passenger numbers were highest during World War II, but then fell back to an average of around 25 a day. However, Rangataua ranked 3rd among NIMT stations in terms of the volume of its timber traffic by 1913. By 1910 it was sending out an average of 25 wagons a day. [36] World War I labour shortages, the 1918 fire and conversion of land to grazing, then reduced timber traffic, but sheep numbers rose from 1,222 in 1913 [37] to 12,662 in 1949. [38]

Rangataua ticket sales 1908-1950 - derived from annual returns to Parliament of "Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended" Rangataua ticket sales 1908-1950 - derived from annual returns to Parliament of "Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended".jpg
Rangataua ticket sales 1908–1950 – derived from annual returns to Parliament of "Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended"
yearticketsseason ticketstimber superficial feet staff
19081,040,0002 [39]
190964824,664,3006 [40]
19104,60394,984,6004 [41]
19115,86529,279,4004 [42]
19125,876311,285,1005 [43]
19135,955613,449,8007 [37]
19145,7212210,762,800 [44]
19156,551108,957,300 [45]
19165,930268,925,200 [46]
19175,908776,447,000 [47]
19186,101775,706,600 [48]
19196,779635,431,700 [49]
19207,8861177,010,100 [50]
19219,6781066,951,800 [51]
192210,138805,525,200 [52]
192311,807694,385,500 [53]
192411,7781375,187,300 [54]
192510,607725,204,000 [55]
192612,2191336,265,800 [56]
192710,737735,758,400 [57]
19288,867724,716,800 [58]
19299,511265,466,200 [59]
19308,607325,723,500 [60]
193112,668384,044,400 [61]
193212,228712,723,500 [62]
193314,1521181,839,200 [63]
193413,301761,386,600 [64]
193514,813721,366,900 [65]
193617,980942,008,200 [66]
193718,2221101,335,400 [67]
193817,30882980,500 [68]
193917,278731,771,600 [69]
194021,799531,574,300 [70]
194125,186431,916,800 [71]
194221,100241,862,100 [72]
194321,528172,548,400 [73]
194419,630121,680,500 [74]
194517,9381,773,700 [75]
194618,0491,748,100 [76]
194714,58511,837,700 [77]
19489,98621,256,500 [78]
194910,1811,434,800 [38]
19509,030950,100 [79]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawakawa railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Kawakawa railway station was a station on the Opua Branch in New Zealand. and is the terminus of the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway (BoIVR) in the small town of Kawakawa. It was also the terminus of the oldest railway on the North Island, opened in 1867, before being joined to the rest of the North Auckland Line in 1912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greatford railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Greatford railway station was a station on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) in New Zealand, south of Marton. It is in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Only a substation and a passing loop remain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halcombe railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Halcombe railway station was a station on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) in New Zealand, serving the village of Halcombe, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. It opened in 1878 and closed in 1983. Originally it was the main intermediate station on the 85 mi 34 ch (137.5 km) Whanganui to Foxton railway. Only a single track remains through the station site, as the passing loops here and at Kakariki were replaced by the Rangitawa loop, 3.03 km (1.88 mi) to the north, on 14 December 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangaweka railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Mangaweka railway station was a station on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT), serving the village of Mangaweka in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. The original station opened in 1902 and closed on 15 November 1981. A new station then opened to the east, on the Mangaweka deviation on 18 November 1981, though only for parcels, small lots, and as a passing loop, which still remains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utiku railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Utiku railway station was a station on the North Island Main Trunk in New Zealand, and in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. It opened in 1904 and closed in 1986. It was part of the 13+12 mi (21.7 km) Mangaweka to Taihape section, officially opened by the Prime Minister, Richard Seddon, on 21 November 1904. It closed in 1986. A passing loop remains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercer railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Mercer railway station in Mercer, New Zealand, is 72 km from Auckland and 609 km from Wellington on the North Island Main Trunk line. It opened on 20 May 1875 and was closed to passengers about 1970 and to goods in the 1990s. It burnt down in 1879 and also in 1900. Until 1958 it was the first refreshment stop south of Auckland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton railway station, New Zealand</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Hamilton railway station serves the city of Hamilton in the Waikato region of New Zealand. It is located in the suburb of Frankton, hence the station's former name Frankton Junction, its name for most of its existence. The station is a Keilbahnhof, located at the junction of the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) and East Coast Main Trunk (ECMT) lines. The station is served by the regional Te Huia service, which runs to Auckland via Rotokauri Transport Hub and Huntly railway station twice daily in the morning, with return services in the evening and by the 6-days a week, Northern Explorer passenger service, between Auckland and Wellington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohakune railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Ohakune railway station is a station on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT), which serves the town of Ohakune in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. It is served by KiwiRail's Northern Explorer long distance train between Wellington and Auckland. It was called Ohakune Junction from 10 August 1926 until Raetihi Branch closed in 1968, to avoid confusion with Ohakune Town station on that branch. It was the second highest operating railway station in New Zealand, after National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntly railway station, Waikato</span> New Zealand railway station

Raahui Pookeka-Huntly Railway Station is on the North Island Main Trunk line and the Awaroa Branch in the town of Huntly in the Waikato District of New Zealand, 65 mi (105 km) south of Auckland. It is 7.31 km (4.54 mi) north of Taupiri and 2.78 km (1.73 mi) south of Kimihia. The station was named Raahui Pookeka-Huntly for its reopening for the new Te Huia train on 6 April 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ngāruawāhia railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Ngāruawāhia railway station was at the junction of the North Island Main Trunk line and its Glen Massey branch, serving Ngāruawāhia in the Waikato District of New Zealand, 74 mi (119 km) south of Auckland and 10 mi (16 km) north of Hamilton. It was opened with a special train from Auckland on Monday 13 August 1877. The next stations were Taupiri 6.5 km (4.0 mi) to the north and Horotiu 5.5 km (3.4 mi) to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton Central railway station, New Zealand</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Hamilton Central was the name of a now-defunct railway station on the East Coast Main Trunk line which runs through the city of Hamilton in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The station was located in Hamilton's CBD and was made an underground station for the latter years of its existence before being closed. The underground platform still exists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taupiri railway station</span> Defunct railway station in New Zealand

Taupiri was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line with a goods shed and an island platform, serving the small settlement of Taupiri in the Waikato District of New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ormondville</span> Settlement in Manawatū-Whanganui Region, New Zealand

Ormondville is a locality in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located inland, south of Waipukurau and west of Flemington, Hawke's Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taringamotu railway station</span> Former railway station in New Zealand

Taringamotu railway station was a station at Taringamotu on the North Island Main Trunk, in the Ruapehu District and Manawatū-Whanganui region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mataroa railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Mataroa was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand. It served the village of Mataroa. Mataroa is part way up a long gradient from Taihape to Waiouru, beginning at 1 in 60, but largely 1 in 70 from Mataroa to Hīhītahi, so that Mataroa is 88 m (289 ft) above Taihape and 110 m (360 ft) below Ngaurukehu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hīhītahi railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Hīhītahi was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, in the Rangitikei District of New Zealand, in the Hautapu River valley. The station served the settlement of Hīhītahi, which was big enough to have a store and a school. It was 12.55 km (7.80 mi) south of Waiouru and 3.05 km (1.90 mi) north of Turangarere. Hīhītahi is at the top of a 1 in 70 gradient from Mataroa, so that it is 39 m (128 ft) above Turangarere, but only 73 m (240 ft) below the much more distant Waiouru. A crossing loop remains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tangiwai railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Tangiwai was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand. The station served the settlement of Tangiwai. The nearby pulp and saw mills are now one of the main sources of freight on NIMT. In 1953 the Tangiwai disaster occurred when the nearby bridge over the Whangaehu River was swept away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karioi railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Karioi was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand. A passing loop remains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horopito railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Horopito was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand. It served the small village of Horopito and lies just to the north of two of the five largest NIMT viaducts. It and Pokaka also lay to the south of Makatote Viaduct, the late completion of which held up opening of the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pokaka railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Pokaka was a station on the North Island Main Trunk line, in the Ruapehu District of New Zealand. It served the small village of Pokaka and lay to the south of Makatote Viaduct, the late completion of which held up opening of the station.

References

  1. Scoble, Juliet. "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand 1863 to 2010" (PDF). Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand.
  2. New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas (Fourth ed.). Quail Map Co. 1993. ISBN   0-900609-92-3.
  3. "Mangateitei Rd". Google Maps. 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  4. "IntraMaps". maps.ruapehudc.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  5. "THE RAURIMU SPIRAL. NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 1 November 1929. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Stations" (PDF). NZR Rolling Stock Lists. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  7. "THE MAIN TRUNK LINE. WANGANUI HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 23 July 1907. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  8. "TOWN AND COUNTRY. LYTTELTON TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 12 February 1909. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  9. "RAILWAYS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, THE RIGHT HON. J. G. COATES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 1928. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 "RANGATAUA NOTES. WANGANUI HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 14 September 1908. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  11. "RAILWAYS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, THE HON. W. H. HERRIES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 1915. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  12. "BUILDINGS AND CONTRACTS. NEW ZEALAND TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 5 June 1907. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  13. "WELLINGTON LAND BOARD. DOMINION". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 26 November 1909. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  14. "MAGISTRATE'S COURT. DOMINION". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 2 July 1910. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  15. "MANAWATU STANDARD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 16 November 1909. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  16. "DOMINION". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 2 November 1910. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  17. "CROWN LANDS. DOMINION". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 October 1913. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  18. "AUCKLAND STAR". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 January 1944. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  19. "MANAWATU TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 9 August 1928. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  20. "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 15 July 1933. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  21. "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 22 June 1940. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  22. "Bagnall Locomotives". www.trainweb.org. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  23. "THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. GISBORNE TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 7 September 1909. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  24. "Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1915 No 68 (as at 01 July 2013), Public Act 115 Authorizing the exchange of certain private lands for timber-cutting rights over certain Crown land". legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  25. "ALONG THE MAIN TRUNK. NEW ZEALAND TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 December 1908. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  26. ""POWELLISING" TIMBER. NEW ZEALAND TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 16 February 1911. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  27. "PROGRESSIVE RANGITAUA. MANAWATU TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 10 November 1910. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  28. "Mountaineering on the main trunk route: a mounted party on the track through the bush to Mount Ruapehu from Rangataua". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 14 April 1910. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  29. "EXTENSIVE BILLING RIGHTS. WANGANUI CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 6 March 1913. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  30. "A new industry for preserving timber. The works of the Powell Wood Process Company's factory at Rangataua, on the Main Trunk Line, which contains a thoroughly up-to-date plant for the preservation of timber". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 28 April 1909. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  31. "RANGATAUA NOTES. WANGANUI CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 October 1911. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  32. "POWELLISING. HASTINGS STANDARD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 8 January 1915. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  33. "FURTHER DETAILS. NEW ZEALAND TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 20 March 1918. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  34. "EVENING POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 6 May 1919. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  35. "LOCAL AND GENERAL. ASHBURTON GUARDIAN". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 29 September 1930. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  36. "LOCAL AND GENERAL. WAIRARAPA AGE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 18 November 1910. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  37. 1 2 "RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1913". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  38. 1 2 "Year ended 31st March, 1949" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  39. "Year ended 31st March, 1908" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  40. "Year ended 31st March, 1909" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  41. "Year ended 31st March, 1910" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  42. "Year ended 31st March, 1911" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  43. "Year ended 31st March, 1912" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  44. "Year ended 31st March, 1914" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  45. "Year ended 31st March, 1915" . Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  46. "Year ended 31st March, 1916" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  47. "Year ended 31st March, 1917" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  48. "Year ended 31st March, 1918" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  49. "Year ended 31st March, 1919" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  50. "Year ended 31st March, 1920" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  51. "Year ended 31st March, 1921" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  52. "Year ended 31st March, 1922" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  53. "Year ended 31st March, 1923" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  54. "Year ended 31st March, 1924" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  55. "Year ended 31st March, 1925" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  56. "Year ended 31st March, 1926" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  57. "Year ended 31st March, 1927" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  58. "Year ended 31st March, 1928" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  59. "Year ended 31st March, 1929" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  60. "Year ended 31st March, 1930" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  61. "Year ended 31st March, 1931" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  62. "Year ended 31st March, 1932" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  63. "Year ended 31st March, 1933" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  64. "Year ended 31st March, 1934" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  65. "Year ended 31st March, 1935" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  66. "Year ended 31st March, 1936" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  67. "Year ended 31st March, 1937" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  68. "Year ended 31st March, 1938" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  69. "Year ended 31st March, 1939" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  70. "Year ended 31st March, 1940" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  71. "Year ended 31st March, 1941" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  72. "Year ended 31st March, 1942" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  73. "Year ended 31st March, 1943" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  74. "Year ended 31st March, 1944" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  75. "Year ended 31st March, 1945" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  76. "Year ended 31st March, 1946" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  77. "Year ended 31st March, 1947" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  78. "Year ended 31st March, 1948" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  79. "Year ended 31st March, 1950" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.

Photos -