Mangaweka railway station explained

Mangaweka railway station
Country:	New Zealand
Elevation:	327m (1,073feet)
Line:	North Island Main Trunk
Distance:	Wellington 231.04km (143.56miles)
Opened:	3 November 1902
Closed:	Passengers 18 April 1971 Goods before 1993
Electrified:	June 1988

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.^{[1] [2] [3]} A new station then opened to the east,^[4] on the Mangaweka deviation on 18 November 1981, though only for parcels, small lots, and as a passing loop,^[5] which still remains.^[6]

The station was important as the terminus of the line from Wellington from 1902 to 1904.

History

An advert for timber for the station building was placed on 13 December 1901.^[7] Dates from 3 July to 30 August 1902 are mentioned for opening goods traffic to Mangaweka and 30 October for inspection of the 9miles line from Mangaonoho to Mangaweka. New Zealand Railways (NZR) took the line over from the Public Works Department on Monday, 3 November 1902, when the stationmaster was transferred from Ōhingaiti to Mangaweka and the station was noted as having a passenger platform, 84 wagon passing loop, privies, urinals, goods shed 72feet by 42feet, loading bank, sheep and cattle yards, water service (one 2,000 gallon vat), coal shed 24feet by 16feet, engine shed 72feet by 21feet, with a 59feet long pit, and stationmaster's house. On 1 November 1904 a cart approach and crane were also mentioned and a warehouse crane and stockyard upgrade came in 1913.

Dates for the extension northwards are also varied. 9 June to 4 August 1904 are given for when the 7miles extension from Mangaweka to Utiku opened for goods. Passenger trains started running to Taihape on Friday, 12 August 1904, though it wasn't until Tuesday, 1 November 1904 when NZR took over the 12miles Mangaweka to Taihape section.

In 1957 the passing loop was extended and motor points and colour light signals installed.

When passenger trains stopped calling from Sunday, 18 April 1971, much of the station building had been demolished, though in 1980 a station building, goods shed, loading bank, and 1½ ton crane remained. A new station opened on Wednesday, 18 November 1981, but closed before 1993.

Tunnel

Tunnel 10 on the NIMT is Mangaweka.^[8] The 600yd tunnel was completed in January 1898, when it was known as Powhakaroa Tunnel.^[9] Its northern portal is just south of Mangaweka and its southern end is near Pouwhakaura.^[10] It is lined with concrete blocks, which were made in a nearby temporary shed.^[11]

Station operation

Mangaweka was one of the stopping points for NIMT expresses in 1910^[12] and still in 1932.^[13] In 1931 the station was staffed by a grade 6 stationmaster and clerk and a grade 7 relief clerk.^[14] It still had 3 staff in 1941.^[15]

Mangaweka had its annual returns of traffic recorded, as did Utiku to the north and Ōhingaiti to the south.^[16] Passenger numbers grew whilst the station was the terminus of the line and during the World War 2, before tailing off towards 1950, as shown in the graph and table below.

year	tickets	season tickets	staff	ref.
1903	6662	1	1	^[17]
1904	19,054		9	^[18]
1905	17125	2	4	^[19]
1906	9614	46	4	^[20]
1907	8868	47	4	^[21]
1908	9730	24	4	^[22]
1909	8949	9	4	^[23]
1910	7449		4	^[24]
1911	7218	2	4	^[25]
1912	7589		4	^[26]
1913	7669	11	5	^[27]
1914	7347	8		^[28]
1915	7054	9		^[29]
1916	7128	21		^[30]
1917	7049	44		^[31]
1918	7128	42		^[32]
1919	6673	15		^[33]
1920	6030	14		^[34]
1921	6809	17		^[35]
1922	6115	12		^[36]
1923	6128	20		^[37]
1924	5748	11		^[38]
1925	5192	29		^[39]
1926	5549	13		^[40]
1927	5031	4		^[41]
1928	4664	10		^[42]
1929	6460	8		^[43]
1930	6821	7		^[44]
1931	8450	15	3	^[45]
1932	4926	15		^[46]
1933	4494	12		^[47]
1934	4828	7		^[48]
1935	4792	9		^[49]
1936	4890	7		^[50]
1937	5987	6		^[51]
1938	5724	51		^[52]
1939	4887	50		^[53]
1940	3919	27		^[54]
1941	4067	30		^[55]
1942	5126	38		^[56]
1943	6593	37		^[57]
1944	7282	18		^[58]
1945	6630	15		^[59]
1946	6114	19		^[60]
1947	3944	8		^[61]
1948	2570	16		^[62]
1949	3214	15		^[63]
1950	2859	12		^[64]

Incidents

A slip derailed a locomotive at the entrance to the tunnel in 1913.^[65] A goods train derailed, breaking several trucks and some track, in a cutting on the Mangaweka side of Mangaweka Viaduct in 1930.^{[66] [67]}

Notes and References

1. http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf Juliet Scoble: Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand
2. Book: New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas. 1965. Quail Map Co.. 3 & 4. First.
3. Book: Pierre, Bill. North Island Main Trunk. 1981. A.H&A.W Reed. Wellington. 0589013165. 289–290.
4. Web site: 1:63360 map Sheet: N139 Mangaweka. 2021-01-13. www.mapspast.org.nz.
5. Web site: Stations. 2020-08-10. NZR Rolling Stock Lists. en.
6. Web site: Jul 2020. Manawatu Scenic Rte. 2021-01-13. Google Maps. en.
7. Web site: 14 Dec 1901. WANGANUI HERALD. 2021-01-13. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
8. Web site: November 2018 . KiwiRail Network Map . 2024-01-19 . kiwirail.maps.arcgis.com.
9. Web site: Public Works Statement by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works 27th September, 1898 . 2024-01-19 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
10. Web site: Pouwhakaura, Manawatu-Wanganui . 2024-01-19 . NZ Topo Map . en.
11. Web site: Public Works Statement by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works 12th September, 1899 . 2024-01-19 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
12. Web site: 15 December 1910 . Feilding Star . 2024-01-19 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
13. Web site: 29 March 1932 . Huntly Press and District Gazette . 2024-01-19 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
14. Web site: List of Persons Employed in the Railways· Department on the 1st April, 1931 . The New Zealand Gazette.
15. Web site: 18 September 1941 . List of Persons Employed in the Railways· Department on the 1st April, 1941 . The New Zealand Gazette.
16. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1923 . 2021-01-11 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
17. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1903 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
18. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1904 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
19. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1905 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
20. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1906 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
21. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1907 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
22. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1908 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
23. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1909 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
24. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1910 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
25. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1911 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
26. Web site: RETURN No. 11 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
27. Web site: RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1913 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
28. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1914 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
29. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1915 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
30. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1916 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
31. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1917 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
32. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1918 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
33. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1919 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
34. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1920 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
35. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1921 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
36. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1922 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
37. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1923 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
38. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1924 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
39. Web site: RETURN No. 12. Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1925 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
40. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1926 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
41. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1927 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
42. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1928 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
43. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1929 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
44. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1930 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
45. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1931 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
46. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1932 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
47. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1933 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
48. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1934 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
49. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1935 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
50. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1936 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
51. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1937 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
52. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1938 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
53. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1939 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
54. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1940 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
55. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1941 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
56. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1942 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
57. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1943 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
58. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1944 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
59. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1945 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
60. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1946 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
61. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1947 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
62. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1948 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
63. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1949 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
64. Web site: STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1950 . 2021-02-13 . paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
65. Web site: 29 Oct 1913. LANDSLIPS ON THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY: THE OHINGAITI TUNNEL. NEAR MANGAWEKA, SHOWING AN ENGINE DERAILED BY A FALL OF EARTH. NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 2021-01-17. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
66. Web site: 10 September 1930. TRAIN WRECKED ON THE NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE LAST WEEK.. 2021-01-17. www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.
67. Web site: 4 Sep 1930. MANGAWEKA SMASH. MANAWATU STANDARD. 2021-01-17. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.