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Otorohanga railway station

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Otorohanga railway station serves the town of Ōtorohanga, on the North Island Main Trunk in New Zealand. The current station dates from 1924.[3]

Otorohanga
Otorohanga railway station in 1921
Godber, Albert Percy, 1875–1949 -Collection of albums, prints and negatives. Ref- APG-0815-1-2-G.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. [5]
General information
LocationNew Zealand
Coordinates38°11′12″S 175°12′44″E / 38.1867°S 175.2123°E / -38.1867; 175.2123
Elevation37 m (121 ft)
Line(s)North Island Main Trunk
DistanceWellington 494.41 km (307.21 mi)
History
Opened9 March 1887[1]
Closed2012[2]
ElectrifiedJune 1988
Services
Preceding station Great Journeys New Zealand Following station
Hamilton
towards Auckland Strand
 Northern Explorer Taumarunui
towards Wellington
Other services
Preceding station   Historical railways   Following station
Kiokio
Line open, station closed
4.45 km (2.77 mi) 		  North Island Main Trunk
KiwiRail 		  Hangatiki
Line open, station closed
5.72 km (3.55 mi)
Designated5 September 1985
Reference no.4263
Otorohanga railway station

Trains calling at Ōtorohanga included The Overlander, Blue Streak, Scenic Daylight, Daylight Limited, Northerner, Northern Explorer, and Night Limited. By 2012, passenger numbers had dropped to an average of two per train,[4] which brought about a brief closure from 24 June.[5] Initially the reinstatement was for summer only[6] from 10 December.[7] Scheduled services to Otorohanga were suspended from December 2021[8] to 25 September 2022.[9] Currently passengers need to pre-book services to and from the station [10]

History

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Surveying to extend the railway 14 mi 20 ch (22.9 km) from Te Awamutu to Ōtorohanga was started in 1883 by Charles Wilson Hursthouse.[11] The first sod ceremony was performed at the Puniu River on 15 April 1885.[12] Trains were working through to Ōtorohanga by January 1887,[13] and the extension opened on 6, or 8 March 1887, though the line wasn't handed over from the Public Works Department to the Railways Department (NZR) until Wednesday 9 March.[14][15][16] Initially trains only ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays.[17]

Coates & Metcalfe were the contractors for the 11 mi 41 ch (18.5 km) extension of the NIMT, from Ōtorohanga to Te Kuiti.[18] Until August 1887, the contractors provided goods trains on the extension.[19] By October 1887 goods trains ran on Mondays and Fridays.[20] NZR took over from the contractors, adding a passenger service on those days from Friday 2 December 1887.[21]

By April 1887, there was a 4th class station building and by 1896 a platform, cart approach, 40 ft (12 m) x 30 ft (9.1 m) goods shed, loading bank, cattle yards, urinals and a passing loop for 31 wagons. There was a Post Office at the station from 1893 to 1908. In 1910 a station on the town side of the line replaced the old station and the goods shed was moved near the old station site. A stationmaster's house was added in 1912 and a crane in 1913. On 17 December 1923 the station burnt down.[15] The current station opened in 1924.[3] Electric light was added in 1927.[22] Three railway houses were added in 1953. In 1980 there was a station building, platform, goods shed, gantry, stockyards and a loop for 81 wagons.[15] The station was given a New Zealand Historic Places Trust Category 2 listing in 1985.[23]

Services

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The station is managed by KiwiRail who operate the Northern Explorer three times a week in each direction between Wellington and The Strand. Hamilton is 48.11 km (29.89 mi) to the north, timetabled in 2015, departure to departure, in 39 minutes, and National Park, 147.58 km (91.70 mi)[24] to the south, in 139 minutes, both southbound.[25] Scheduled passenger services were suspended in December 2021.[26] Then reinstated later in 2022.[27]

 
tickets sales 1913–1950 – derived from annual returns to Parliament of "Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended"

Patronage

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As shown in the table and graph below, passenger numbers peaked during World War 2 -

year tickets season tickets staff source title
1913 12,306 14 5 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1913/I/3693 RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1913
1914 11,263 35 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1914/I/2031 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1914
1915 13,672 23 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1915/I/1638 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1915
1916 15,435 42 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1916/I/1053 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1916
1917 16,142 93 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1917/I/1123 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1917
1918 15,343 166 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1918/I-II/1159 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1918
1919 14,754 117 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1919/I/1231 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1919
1920 17,188 251 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1920/I/1349 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1920
1921 17,787 164 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1921/I-II/1452 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1921
1922 15,901 129 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1922/I/1409 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1922
1923 14,675 280 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1923/I-II/1321 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1923
1924 13,689 270 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1924/I/2458 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1924
1925 13,513 246 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1925/I/1804 RETURN No. 12. Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1925
1926 14,094 304 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1926/I/1930 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1926
1927 14,411 95 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1927/I/2230 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1927
1928 12,345 86 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1928/I/2628 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1928
1929 13,077 52 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1929/I/2090 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1929
1930 12,261 22 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1930/I/2212 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1930
1931 14,216 45 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1931/I-II/1778 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1931
1932 11,511 57 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1932/I-II/1934 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1932
1933 12,144 52 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1933/I/1388 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1933
1934 14,055 43 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1934/I/2278 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1934
1935 16,795 17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1935/I/1326 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1935
1936 17,704 25 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1936/I/1552 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1936
1937 20,150 26 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1937/I/1896 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1937
1938 19,043 16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1938/I/1652 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1938
1939 18,626 24 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1939/I/1970 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1939
1940 17,433 34 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1940/I/1314 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1940
1941 18,479 55 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1941/I/1203 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1941
1942 23,566 67 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1942/I/651 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1942
1943 30,897 95 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1943/I/679 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1943
1944 32,974 82 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1944/I/895 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1944
1945 26,634 63 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1945/I/969 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1945
1946 27,923 18 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1946/I/1548 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1946
1947 26,305 13 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1947/I/2495 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1947
1948 20,469 31 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1948/I/2521 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1948
1949 18,071 9 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1949/I/2104 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1949
1950 18,956 8 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1950/I/2366 STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31 March 1950

Rangitoto Colliery Co. branch

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Circa 1910 Radcliffe, Frederick George, 1863–1923 – New Zealand post card negatives. Ref- 1-2-006465-G.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. [1]
 
Circa 1921 Godber, Albert Percy, 1875–1949 -Collection of albums, prints and negatives. Ref- APG-1839-1-2-G.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. [2]
 
April 1947 Whites Aviation Ltd -Photographs. Ref- WA-07359-F.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. [3]
 
May 1947 Whites Aviation Ltd -Photographs. Ref- WA-07358-F.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. [4]

In 1890 Ellis & Burnand had sought tenders for a tramway to bring timber to their mill[28] and it was mentioned as flooded in 1892.[29] The 1919 Railways Authorisation Bill included a, "branch line from Otorohanga, along right bank of the Waipa River, to the south boundary of Block VI, Mangaoronga survey district. Length about 7½ miles."[30] The Railway Atlas indicates the line was horse worked,[24] served the Ellis and Burnand Mill (open 1889–1912),[31] as well as the colliery, and existed by 1921.[24] The 1921 photograph (left) appears to show a horse worked tramway, but only remnants of the line appear in the 1947 photos.

The mine closed in 1937, after 11 years of working, "as the coal was of inferior quality and the expenses of mining and marketing the output were unduly high."[32] However, a 1944 Parliamentary report indicates that production recommenced, but a road was built, rather than using the tramway. The report said, "Rangitoto Opencast.—Stripping of this area, adjacent to the old Rangitoto Colliery, some eight miles from Otorohanga, commenced, in July. An access road was also constructed. Coal-production started in September, Output for 1944 was 1,797 tons."[33]

References

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  1. ^ "Juliet Scoble: Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  2. ^ Otorohanga DC minutes p. 10
  3. ^ a b "OTOROHANGA NEWS. WAIPA POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 12 June 1924. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  4. ^ Waikato Times 19 May 2012 Kiwirail reviews axing of Otorohanga stop
  5. ^ Waikato Times 19 June 2012
  6. ^ NZ Herald 26 June 2012,
  7. ^ KiwiRail staff magazine
  8. ^ "Urgent calls for long-distance passenger services to stay as KiwiRail cuts operations". Newshub. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Even Greater Journeys for 2022!". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Otorohanga Railway Station".
  11. ^ "NATIVE OBSTRUCTION. NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 15 March 1883. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  12. ^ "THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY. TURNING THE FIRST SOD. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 16 April 1885. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  13. ^ "THE MAIN TRUNK LINE. NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 January 1887. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  14. ^ "LATEST TE AWAMUTU NEWS. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 10 March 1887. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b c "Station Archive". NZR Rolling Stock Lists. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  16. ^ "PUBLIC WORKS TABLES AND ANNUAL REPORTS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. March 1887. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  17. ^ "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 April 1887. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  18. ^ "THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 29 January 1887. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  19. ^ "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 August 1887. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  20. ^ "THE KING COUNTRY. NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 24 October 1887. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  21. ^ "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 November 1887. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  22. ^ "KING COUNTRY NOTES. WAIPA POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 January 1927. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Otorohanga Railway Station". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b c New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas (First ed.). Quail Map Co. 1965. pp. 3 & 4.
  25. ^ "KiwiRail Great Journeys of New Zealand – Northern Explorer". Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Urgent calls for long-distance passenger services to stay as KiwiRail cuts operations". Newshub. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Scenic trains to resume with new tourism offering". 12 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Page 3 Advertisements Column 2". Waikato Times. 25 December 1890. p. 3. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  29. ^ "Floods at Waikato". New Zealand Herald. 13 July 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  30. ^ Taranaki Daily News , 24 October 1919, Page 4
  31. ^ "1953 jubilee year: half a century of progress in the timber industry of New Zealand, 1903–1953. | National Library of New Zealand". natlib.govt.nz. Mccracken, A.E. Retrieved 19 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  32. ^ "AtoJs Online — Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1938 Session I — C-02 MINES STATEMENT. BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES". atojs.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  33. ^ Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1945 Session I, C-02 statement by the acting Minister of Mines p. 25
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